author(s)
Sorghum, Shoot fly, Atherigona soccata, Biology, fish-meal trap

abstract
Studies on the biology and population dynamics of shoot fly was carried out at the MARS, Raichur during the study period 2016-17. The biology of the muscid was studied on a susceptible hybrid of sorghum CSH-14 under controlled conditions in the laboratory. The eggs were laid singly on the under surface of leaves, parallel to midrib on third or fourth leaf blades. The egg period lasted for 2.25±0.24 and 2.92±0.32 days in kharif and rabi season, respectively. The total larval period occupied 9.85±0.99 and 12.58±1.47 days in kharif and rabi season, respectively. The pupal stage lasted for 8.92±0.94 and 10.86±1.02 days in kharif and rabi season, respectively. Total life cycle of the shoot fly occupied 21.02±2.20 and 26.36±2.48 days, respectively, during kharif and rabi season. Fish meal was used as attractant for assessing the relative abundance of Atherigona sp., under field condition. During the study period a total of 12,485 flies were trapped with weekly average of 240 per standard week. The peak shoot fly catch (1,025 flies per trap) was recorded during 33rd standard week (Aug 13-19).