Chilo infuscatellus Snellen. is one of the severe pests of sugarcane that causes significant losses to its every year. However, Cotesia flavipes parasitoid has shown a prominent impact on its population regulation in many countries of the world. Therefore, a two-year (2013 and 2014) study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of the augmentative release of C. flavipes in the population and infestation reduction of C. infuscatellus in sugarcane in Sindh, Pakistan. Thatta-10 variety was sown over 0.5 acres of land that comprised of a parasitoid release treatment along with control arranged in a randomized complete block design, replicated four times. Release of C. flavipes was done on fortnightly basis one month after planting of sugarcane and continued till harvesting, whereas, data were recorded monthly. The results indicated a significant impact of the release of the parasitoid in lowering both population and infestation of C. infuscatellus over two years of study, where significantly higher infestation and population of larvae and pupae were recorded in control than parasitoid release treatment. In contrast, a comparatively higher population of C. flavipes was recorded in parasitoid treatment. Therefore, the periodic release of C. flavipes could be helpful in reducing the population and infestation of C. infuscatellus in sugarcane.
