Host-plant resistance plays an important role in the insect-pest management either alone or in combination with other control methods. A number of sorghum genotypes showing varying levels of resistance to spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe have been identified using natural and artificial infestations. Major resistance mechanisms are antibiosis and tolerance, though some genotypes exhibit ovipositional non-preferences. There have been a number of factors involved in spotted stem borer resistance; a resistant genotype possesses either one or a combination of these traits. Progress has been made in developing borer resistant breeding lines with moderate yield and acceptable grain quality. Borer resistance is a quantitatively inherited trait governed by additive and non-additive genes. Epistatic gene effects are more pronounced under artificial borer infestation. Cytoplasmic effects appear to be present.

Several species of Chilo are serious pests of cereal crops. The important species attacking cereals are Chilo agamemnon, C. orichalcociliellus and C. partellus on maize and sorghum; C. auricilius and C. zacconius on sugar-cane, and rice; C. suppressalis on rice; and C. sacchariphagus indicus on sugar-cane. Insects are reared in the laboratory on natural and artificial diets for various purposes, namely for insecticide testing, hormone and pheromone manipulation, biological control, host-plant resistance, etc. Rearing of an insect in the laboratory requires rearing facilities, colony establishment, research and development of rearing techniques, resources, and maintenance of insect quality. All these aspects for rearing major Chilo spp. have been discussed. However, detailed information is available only for C. partellus and C. suppressalis. Techniques used for resistance screening and damage evaluation against spotted stem borer, C. partellus using naturally occurring population and artificial infestation are described.