Stenobracon deesae (Cameron)

Stenobracon spp. are important polyphagous parasitoids of sugarcane tissue borers. They attack Scirpophaga excerptalis, Acigona steniellus, Chilo sacchari-phagus indicus, C. infuscatellus, C. auricilius, C. tumidicostalis, C. partellus, Sesamia inferens and Emmalocera depressella. With 16 mm ovipositor borers located deep inside the sugarcane tissues can be parasitized.

The parasitoids are multiplied on the larvae of Chilo partellus and Corcyra cephalonica. About 10 cm long pieces of cane are split longitudinally, a groove made and larvae inserted artificially into it. The larvae are kept in position by a piece of cellophane, fixed firmly over it. A fine hole leading into the groove is made. The external holes on the stem are plugged with frass and the larva is exposed to the female parasitoid in the oviposition cage. The adult parasitoids are fed with 50 percent honey solution through cotton swabs or sponge pieces. Once full grown, the parasitoid larvae are transferred from the cane pieces to short paper tubes for pupation and adult emergence.