BIOLOGICAL CONTROL involving the use of parasitoids, predators and entomopathogens have been implemented.
PARASITOIDS
Larval parasite
1. Cotesia (= Apanteles) flavipes Cam. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
- Most important (Indigenous)
- Parasitism occurs in January-May
- Critical level: 8 pupae per 200 stalk
- Parasitism level required for economic threshold: >22%
2. Enicosphilus terebrus Gauld (Hymenoptera: Icheumonidae)
Pupal parasite
3. Pediobius furvus Gahan (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)
(Imported from Kenya)
Egg parasite
4. Telemonus spp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)
5. Blaptostethoids spp. (Hemiptera: Anthonoidae)
Egg/Young Larval
6. Chelisoches morio (F.) (Dermapera: Chelisochidae)
PREDATORS
General
1. Chliosoches morio (F.) - preys on egg masses and young larvae
2. Bugs (Blaptostethoids spp. (Hemiptera: Anthonridae)
3. Ants (Pheidole spp.)
ENTOMOPATHOGENS
1. Unidentified viruses
2. Metarhrizium anisophiae strains
(Kuniata 1994; Kuniata & Kuniata 2005)