author(s)
Pratap Divekar, Pradyumn Kumar and Suby SB

abstract
Oviposition preference of pink stem borer Sesamia inferens was studied on twenty maize germplasm. Results of present investigations revealed all the maize germplasm were more or less preferred for egg laying and no germplasm showed a complete antixenosis. The site selected by adult female moths of S. inferens for oviposition on all the maize germplasm was inner side of leaf sheath. Significant variations were revealed regarding the total number of eggs laid by S. inferens female on different maize germplasm. The total number of eggs laid were ranged from 29.67 to 191.00. The total number of eggs were laid maximum on the germplasm DC-2 (191.00), E-62 (149.67) and HKI-193-2 (145.00) whereas it was observed minimum on WP-21 (29.67), HKI-193-1 (37.67) and E-63 (40.67). Significantly higher number of eggs were deposited on first leaf sheath followed by second leaf sheath, basal leaf sheath and then third leaf sheath. Least number of eggs were deposited on third leaf sheath. Only four germplasm were preferred for egg laying on third leaf sheath viz., DC-2, JCY-2-7, E-62 and HKI-193-2. Maize germplasm DC-2, HKI-193-2 and E-62 received higher number of eggs on different leaf sheaths in comparison to WP-21, E-63 and HKI-193-1. Thus, the maize germplasm DC-2, HKI-193-2 and E-62 were preferred for egg laying indicating their susceptibility in comparison to least susceptible germplasm WP-21, E-63 and HKI-193-1, as these germplasm were less preferred for oviposition.