Field investigations during rabi 2022–23 and 2023–24 revealed the population dynamics of insect-pests and their natural predator on coriander. Among insect pests, coriander aphid (Hyadaphis coriandri Das) was recorded as the major pest, while whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.), thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman) and mite (Petrobia latens Muller) occurred in low numbers and were identified as minor pests. Aphid infestation initiated from the second to third week of January and peaked in late February, coinciding with maximum temperatures of 23.2–24.5°C, minimum 3.5–4.9°C, and relative humidity 55.0–55.5%. Aphid population showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature and coccinellid predator (Coccinella septempunctata Linn.) abundance, but negative correlation with relative humidity. The predator appeared in late January and peaked in February (14.2–15.8 beetles/5 plants). Coccinellid population showed positive correlation with temperature and non-significant response to relative humidity. Thus, C. septempunctata was the key biological control agent of H. coriandri in coriander ecosystems

Hyadaphis coriandri, coccinellid, Coriander, population dynamics, correlation

The study revealed that coriander aphid, Hyadaphis coriandri was the major pest on coriander, while whitefly, thrips and mites occurred in negligible numbers as minor pests. Aphid incidence began in January and peaked in February, showing a positive correlation with maximum temperature and a negative correlation with relative humidity. The coccinellid predator, Coccinella septempunctata, appeared shortly after aphid infestation and its population also peaked in February, showing a significant positive correlation with aphid density in both years. Thus, aphid population dynamics were strongly influenced by weather parameters, while coccinellid predators followed the aphid trend, confirming their role as a key natural enemy in regulating aphid populations on coriander

Balkrishan Choudhary, D.K. Bairwa, J.K. Bana, Rajkumar Bajya and Sunil Sunda (2025). Population Dynamics of Insect Pests of Coriander and their Correlation with Biotic and Abiotic Factors. Biological Forum, 17(8): 115-118