There are, few parasitoids which specifically attack the pupal stage. This is perhaps understandable since pupae are not readily accessible, being in the soil. For the last few seasons we have been conducting a study of the biology, behavior and field ecology of a true pupal parasitoid of Helicoverpa, the ichneumonid wasp, Ichneumon promissorius. The aim was to assess the impact of the wasp on pupal populations of Helicoverpa spp. and to assess the possibilities for mass rearing it as a biocontrol agent, particularly for management of overwintering pupae in cotton areas. Here we give a brief account of the biology of I. promissorius and provide a summary of the abundance of various parasitoids in Helicoverpa pupae collected in the Namoi/Gwydir area over the period 1987-1991.