Sorghum-; Zea-mays; In the present study the incidence of Chilo partellus and its mortality due to natural enemies on sorghum intercropped with cowpea and maize were investigated in the 1984-6 cropping seasons. The lowest larval density was recorded in sorghum/cowpea intercrop (mean 0 multiplied by 18 larvae/plant); and the highest density in sorghum/maize (mean 1 multiplied by 8 larvae/plant), although significant differences in larval density were observed only in three out of five seasons. Life table analysis showed first-generation mortality of C. partellus to be highest in the age interval from egg to early-instar larva (95-98% real mortality) and attributable mainly to predation; first-generation mortality due to parasitoids and pathogens was negligible. Significantly higher apparent pupal mortality due to Dentichasmias busseolae (Heinrich) (Ichneumonidae), in the second generation occurred in sorghum/cowpea (42 multiplied by 8%) than in sorghum/maize (12 multiplied by 5%). Predators play a significant role and intercropping sorghum with cowpea or maize does not interfere with their activity. none