ROLE OF A HYMENOPTERAN PARASITE AND A BACTERIUM IN THE REGULATION OF A LEPIDOPTERAN PEST IN TROPICAL ECOSYSTEM

Occurrence of mortality due to bacterial infection by a gram negative bacterium and the hymenopteran entomophagous parasite Apanteles glomer atus (L.) was observed in a natural population of Catopsilia crocale C ramer, a defoliator of the ornamental and medicinal plant Cassia alata . On regular field observation during the seasons 1980-1981 and 1981-1 982, it was found that mortality due to these factors was mostly confi ned to the final larval instar and the pupa of C. crocale. A direct co rrelation was obtained between population density of C. crocale and th e number of larvae/pupae killed due to these factors. As the incidence of the hymenopteran parasite and bacteria fluctuate along with the C. crocale population, consideration of the foregoing factors as potenti al biological control agents for the pest population of C. crocale. is suggested.