noneEnter A field study revealed that Pericallia ricini (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) was severely attacked by Cotesia sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) infesting castor plants in multiple cropping system. A hyperparasitoid Pediobius foveolatus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was found as a serious limiting factor in the population build up of Cotesia sp. Highest parasitism was recorded in Padappai (18.34%) followed by Mangadu (17.26%) and Poonamallee (12.6%). The parasitism was very low in Nungambakkam (9.65%), an urban area in Chennai. Percent hyperparasitism was significantly high in controlled condition (48.18%) and in Nungambakkam (47.47%). Percentage of parasitoid emergence was high in field conditions. Two to three P. foveolatus adults emerged from a single cocoon of the parasitoid. (C) 2007 Association for Advancement of Entomology. BR Parasites diseases and disorders. Parasites. Insect parasites. Hosts. Insect hosts. Habitat. Man made habitat. Land zones. Oriental region. Eurasia. Asia. India. Pediobius foveolatus (Eulophidae): Parasite; Cotesia (Braconidae): Host, Parasite; Pericallia ricini (Arctiidae): Host. Cotesia: Hymenopteran parasites, Pediobius foveolatus, Lepidopteran hosts, Pericallia ricini, Cultivated land habitat, Multiple cropping system, prevalence, Tamil Nadu, Chennai area; Pediobius foveolatus: Hymenopteran hosts, Cotesia, Cultivated land habitat, Multiple cropping system, hyperparasitism, prevalence, Tamil Nadu, Chennai area; Pericallia ricini: Hymenopteran parasites, Cotesia, Cultivated land habitat, Multiple cropping system, hyperparasitism, prevalence, Tamil Nadu, Chennai area. ST Animalia, Arthropoda, Insecta, Hymenoptera, Apocrita, Terebrantia, Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae; Animalia, Arthropoda, Insecta, Hymenoptera, Apocrita, Terebrantia, Ichneumonoidea, Braconidae; Animalia, Arthropoda, Insecta, Lepidoptera, Glossata, Heteroneura, Noctuoidea, Arctiidae. Arthropods; Hymenopterans; Insects; Invertebrates; Lepidopterans.