Abstract
Abstract The population dynamics of Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied using partial life‐tables. The study revealed that April‐September was the peak period of incidence of the pest while November‐February was the lowest. The biotic mortality factors recorded in the present study were parasitism by the following: Apanteles taragamae Viereck, A. machaeralis Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Goniozus sensorius Gordh (Hym: Bethylidae), Trathala flavoorbitalis (Cam.) (Hym: Ichneumonidae), Elasmus brevicornis Gahan (Hym: Elasmidae) and Phanerotoma hendecasisella Cam. (Hym: Braconidae). Among these, A. taragamae was the key mortality factor of D. indica. The study also revealed that only two of the six parasites exercised an important role in the population dynamics of D. indica. The combined action of these two parasites from January to March and October to December was significant in keeping the population index lower than during the months when these parasites were absent.
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