Biology of stem borer, Euzophera perticella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and association of endoparasitoid Pristomerus euzopherae (Hymenoptera:Ichneumonidae) in grafted and ratoon brinjal crop

Abstract

The present study envisages the bionomics of brinjal stem borer, Euzophera perticella on eggplant and occurrence of its prominent endoparasitoid, Pristomerus euzopherae under Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh condition. Affected plants can easily be visualized by their appearance as light yellow in colour, completely drooped, withered and wilted with stunted growth, reduced plant vigour, lowered fruit bearing capacity and detected in patches across the plot. Damage is more severe in near maturing, ratoon and grafted brinjal crop. Its incidence was observed from the second fortnight of February onwards (13.5% stem damage) which increased gradually with 29.75, 51.5, 76.5 and 89.7% stem damage during March, April, May and June, respectively and where almost all the plants were affected by this borer during July. Oviposition, incubation, larval and pupal periods of E. perticella ranged from 4-11, 3-9, 29-47 and 7-14 days, respectively, whereas adult longevity were 4-8 days for male and 5-13 days for females. An Ichneumonid endoparasitoid, Pristomerus euzopherae was recorded associated with this stem borer. Incidence of this parasitoid was noted during second fortnight of April (1.91% parasitization) with highest parasitization (12.48%) during July followed by June (7.73%).