Biocontrol, Broomrape, Egg plant, Orobanche crenata, Phytomyza orobanchia

Natural incidence of the oligophagous fly Phytomyza orobanchie was observed on Orobanche crenata in brinjal (egg plant: Solanum melongena) in the farmers’ field in Central India during a survey in January 2013. This natural incidence indicatesd that the bioagent is now established in India. The bioagent has been submitted to gene bank accession (No. KC732453.1, p. 658). It was concluded that if more intensive surveys are conducted in the Orobanche infested areas, there may be chances for more areas to be indentified and this insect may be used in the integrated management of Orobanche.