Abstract

Five species of parasites of Hyblaea puera namely, Palexorista solennis Walker (Tachinidae), Brachymeria lasus Walker (Chalcididae), Sympiesis sp. (Eulophidae) and two species of unidentified ichneumonid wasps were recorded. Among these parasites Sympiesis sp. is a new record on H. puera. Presence of P. solennis was noted almost throughout the infestation period of the pest, though it was found to have a dominant role during the period of high host density. The ichneumonid parasites were recorded only during the period of high pest activity. Sympies is sp. had a dominant role during the period of low host density. During the first wave of pest infestation, parasite activity was very low and P. solennis was the only parasite present. In general, overall rate of parasitism was found to be higher in the period of low host density than in the period of high host density