SAVE PARASITES AND MICROBES OF CUTWORMS, AGROTIS SEGETUM (SCHIFF) PEST OF POTATO IN SHIMLA HILLS.

To explore the natural parasites and microbes associated with cutworm (Agrolis segetum), extensive survey were conducted during 2008 and 2009 main crop season at medium altitude hills of H iniachal Pradesh, Three poential parasites viz. Macrocentrus coilaris Spinola, farisepsia carbonaria Panz and Ichneunion spp. and two different cultures of Bacillus spp. were reared/ isolated from caterpillar of A. segetuni. M. collaris was found active from 14th MW (30th March to 5th April) till 22’ MW (25-31st May) and dominant parasite on cutworm in potato field of Shimla. The parasitization by M. collaris to cutworm ranged from 16.66 to28.57 per cent (average 20.08 per cent) during 2008. Highest parasitization of M.collaris in 3d instars larvae was recorded on l6t MW (28.57 per cent). The second parasite, P. carbonario was observed from 15th MW (6- 12 April) until 22uid MW (25-3 1 May) on cutworm and caused 7.69 to 22.22% parasitizatiOn. The average parasitism was 13.22%. ¡chneurnons sp. was found active from April to May and the average parasitism by it was recorded as 3.97% on cutworm. The microbe Bacillus spp. was observed from 14th MW (30th March to 5th April) till 22t1d MW (25-3l May) and caused 7.69 to 16.66% mortality. The average mortality was 11.59%. M.co/laris was predominant parasite on cutworm and contributed nearby twenty per cent of the total mortality. Total mortality due to three parasites and microbes on cutworms in Shimla hills were 46.525%.