HABITAT SITE SELECTION, CROP DAMAGE AND OVIPOSITION PREFERENCE BY CONIESTA (=HAIMBACHIA) IGNEFUSALIS (LEPIDOPTERA, PYRALIDAE)

Studies were conducted during 1986-1988 to investigate habitat site se lection, evaluate damage, and study the oviposition preference of Coni esta ignefusalis (Hampson) on natural and artificial substrates to imp rove rearing and management techniques. Millet grain weight was negati vely correlated with numbers of stem-borer larval exit and entrance ho les. Numbers of diapausing larvae and borer larval holes were positive ly correlated with the location of internodes on millet stems. Surviva l of C. ignefusalis in dry millet stems is significant when stems were stacked as practised by farmers. C. ignefusalis female oviposition oc curred mostly within leaf sheaths of green millet plants, rarely on gr een or dry leaves, and seldom on dry millet stems. Paper substrates ra rely received eggs when offered to females in association with green m illet stems with attached leaf sheath. The implications of our finding s for IPM of C. ignefusalis are discussed.