Natural Enemies of Mulberry Pyralid, Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in Temperate Climate of Kashmir

Abstract

The incidence of natural enemies on the mulberry pyralid, Glyphodes (=Margaronia) pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) infesting mulberry crop was studied at Pampore, Kashmir during 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons. Five hymenopteran parasitoids including three braconids ( Apanteles obliquae Wilkinson, Bracon hebetor Say and Chelonus carbonator Marshall) and two ichneumonids (Pristomerus sulci Mahdihassan and Kolubajiv and Xanthopimpla sp .) were found to parasitize the larvae. Two predators, viz. Tetragnatha sp . (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) and Philodromus sp. (Araneae: Philodromidae) were also recorded. The activity of these natural enemies was observed from July to October in the cropping period spread over May-October.