Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) play a critical role in Tritrophic chemical communication and attracting natural enemies of herbivorous insects. In sorghum ( <italic>Sorghum bicolor</italic> L. Moench), the contribution of specific HIPVs to parasitoid recruitment remains poorly understood despite evidence of herbivore-induced volatile production. This study investigated the role of key sorghum HIPVs in mediating the behavioral responses of the larval parasitoid <italic>Cotesia flavipes</italic> to simulated stem borer attack. Four-week-old sorghum plants (cv. Epuripur) were subjected to mechanical wounding followed by application of <italic>Chilo partellus</italic> larval oral secretions to induce defense responses. Headspace volatiles were collected using dynamic headspace sampling and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Behavioral responses of female <italic>C. flavipes</italic> were evaluated using Y-tube olfactometer bioassays comparing synthesized (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, their blend from herbivory induced sorghum plants, and health sorghum volatiles against appropriate controls. Herbivore induction significantly increased emissions of DMNT (3.2-fold) and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (3.1-fold), together with other defense-related volatiles. Female parasitoids showed significant attraction to DMNT (70%; χ² = 6.40, <italic>P</italic> = 0.011) and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (75%; χ² = 10.00, <italic>P</italic> = 0.002), while the combined blend elicited the strongest response (83%; χ² = 18.67, <italic>P</italic> < 0.001). Parasitoids also preferred herbivore-induced sorghum volatiles over those from healthy plants (χ² = 9.80, <italic>P</italic> = 0.002). Logistic regression demonstrated significant positive effects of both compounds and a synergistic interaction between them ( <italic>P</italic> = 0.038). These findings demonstrate that parasitoid attraction is driven primarily by the identity and combination of specific HIPVs rather than by total volatile emission levels. DMNT and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate are therefore promising semiochemicals candidates for enhancing <italic>C. flavipes</italic> -mediated biological control of stem borers in sorghum and may contribute to sustainable integrated pest management strategies. </p>