HARMINDER SINGH AND A. M. RAUT*
Department of Entomology, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144 411 (Punjab),
India
*(e-mail : ankushento@gmail.com ; Mobile : 97796 13278)
(Received : February 20, 2022; Accepted : March 18, 2022)
ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Farm, Department of Entomology, School of
Agriculture, LPU, Punjab during rabi season 2020-22. Eggs of Chilo partellus were observed throughout
the crop period, while Atherigona soccata maggot appeared in early stage crop of growth of maize. Both
insects caused dead hearts where maximum damage percentage was obtained in 49th SMW by C. partellus,
whereas in 44th SMW A. soccata caused damage during both the years. Natural enemies were present
throughout the season and two peaks observed in coccinellids and spider population at 46th and 51st SMW. All physical factors had significant effect on maize stem borer population except temperature
which had positive significant impact on A. soccata. This research will help to develop prediction model
for sustainable maize pest management.
Key words : Maize stem borer, maize shoot fly, natural enemies, population dynamics