Effect of weather parameters on incidence of insect pests of cucumber in eastern Bihar

Abstract

The insect-pests infestation in cucumber leads to severe injury to its’ vegetative parts and fruits by epilachna beetle, red pumpkin beetle, whitefly, pumpkin caterpillar, leaf minerand fruit fly. The present investigation was taken upduring 2014 and 2015 to study the population dynamics of prevailing six insect-pests of cucumber and its natural enemies inrelation to weather parameters.The correlation studies between insect pests and weather parameters revealed that the melon fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett), epilachna beetle (Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Fabricius), red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora foveicollisLucas), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), pumpkin caterpillar (Diaphania indica Saunders) and leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii Burgess) showed significant positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperature,whereas negative and nonsignificant correlation with relative humidity and rainfall. The natural enemies such ascoccinellids and spiders showed significant positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperature, and non significant negative correlation with relative humidity and rainfall. Sunshine hour showed positive correlation with all the insect pests and natural enemies except epilachna beetle.

Weather Parameter’s Impact on Population Fluctuation of Insect Pests in Sunflower

“…Rainfall had a positive and non significant correlation with the population of ladybird. Corroborating with the results of present studies Saha et al [10] reported that coccinella in cucumbers was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with humidity. Dhurva and Soni [6] in rice ecosystem reported that maximum temperature, minimum temperature, rainfall and sunshine hours showed negative non significant relationship with the population of ladybird.…”

Influence of abiotic variables on the seasonal occurrence of pea leaf miner, Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau) afflicting damage to pea.

“…An effective approach of pest control that incorporates knowledge about peak period of pest occurrence along with chemical application can aid in control of the pest. According to Kaur et al, (2021) and Saha et al, (2018) pest occurrence, growth and activity are primarily caused by ambient weather, either directly or indirectly, along with the crop. A significant relationship has been found between these parameters and the pest's seasonal incidence.…”