New Record of Parasitoids of Mulberry Leaf-Roller Diaphania pulverulentalis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Karnataka

Apanteles recusans (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Pristomerus secundus (Morley) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were recorded for the first time from leaf-roller of mulberry Diaphania pulverulentalis, a serious pest of mulberry, Morus alba L. A. recusans, a solitary, larval endo-parasitoid of D. pulverulentalis was one of the most common parasitoids of leaf-roller. The parasitoid occurred during rainy and winter seasons. The occurrence of A. recusans in different areas of Bangalore district and some aspects of morphology of its cocoon and adult, host stage attacked and life cycle are presented. The parasitism ranged from 0.5 to 62.5 per cent in different areas. P. secundus, a solitary, larval endo-parasitoid also occurred during rainy and winter seasons. The occurrence of P. secundus in different areas of Bangalore district and some aspects of morphology of its cocoon and adult parasitoids are presented. The mean parasitism of leaf-roller caterpillars by P. secundus ranged from 0.93 to 29.41 per cent in different areas.