Incidence of okra stemfly, Melanagromyza hibisci Spencer in India was high (40–60%) in winter months, i.e. during October, November, December and January sowings. Mean maximum and minimum temperature that prevailed 30 days after sowing had significant negative correlation with percentage main stem damage. Carbofuran, phorate, quinalphos and aldicarb, applied at 1 kg per ha reduced damage to main stem at the seedling stage but could not control subsequent damage to petioles. Eurytoma sp., a parasitoid on M. hibisci, had a high density-dependent relationship with its host, and played a significant role in keeping it under control.
