Natural enemy fauna of mulberry leaf roller, Diaphania pulverulentalis (Hampson) in Tumkur district of Karnataka

Mulberry being an evergreen perennial plant with luxuriant foliage, afford an unlimited source of food and shelter for a variety of insects causing serious economic loss and severely hampering the sericulture industry. The leaf roller, Diaphania pulverulentalis (Hampson) is one of the key pests of mulberry. The present study was aimed at identifying the natural enemy complex of leaf roller in the mulberry ecosystem of Tumkur district. The results revealed that, a total of 9 species of parasitoids and predatory insects belonging to 3 orders and 7 families were found to attack three different stages (egg, larva and pupa) of leaf roller. The incidence of parasitoids and predators was ranged between 12.09 - 22.15% and 6.08 - 12.89%, respectively. Among parasitoids highest incidence was noticed among Apanteles sp. followed by T. chilonis and Xanthopimpla sp. The predator, E. furcellata showed highest incidence of 12.89 per cent followed by M. sexmaculatus (11.05%). Therefore, the study highlights the role of natural enemies in regulating leaf roller pest in the mulberry ecosystem.