Population Dynamics of Major Sucking Insect Pests of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata Linn. and their Correlation with Weather Parameters

Author: Dharanikota Lalithambica Devi, Shudhanshu Baliyan, Sunil Kumar Mandal and Manoj Kumar

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Abstract

Population dynamics of major sucking insect pests of cowpea experiment was carried out at Vegetable Research Plot of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar during summer, 2023. The Aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, Leaf hopper, Empoasca fabae Harris, Whitefly, Bemesia tabaci, Ginn and Flower thrips, Megalurothrips distalis were noticed during the study. The occurrence of these pests and their relationship with abiotic factors were described. Occurrence of three pests were noticed during 12th Standard Meteorological Week (4th week of March) and reached a peak during 16thStandard Meteorological Week. Whereas, flower thrips, commenced during the 14thStandard Meteorological Week (5th week of March) and maximum population was recorded during 16th Standard Meteorological Week (3rd week of April). The population of aphid, whitefly, leafhopper and flower thrips showed positive and significant correlation with maximum temperature. The correlation coefficient of aphid was positive significant with minimum temperature while the correlation coefficient of remaining were non-significant. They showed negative and significant correlation with relative humidity at morning hours and evening hours. The rainfall showed negative and non-significant correlation with all these sucking insect pests. The contemporary investigation into population dynamics underscores the necessity for comprehensive consideration of location-specific pest constellations in cowpea, with the aim of formulating prophylactic measures for enduring and sustainable management initiatives.

Keywords

Cowpea, major sucking insect pests, correlation, population dynamics

Conclusion

The incidence of sucking insect pests on cowpea was mostly observed from March to May in summer. The peak population of sucking pests were mostly observed during 3rd week of April. Most of the sucking insect pests showed positive significance with maximum temperature and negative significance with relative humidity and non-significance with rainfall.

References

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How to cite this article

Dharanikota Lalithambica Devi, Shudhanshu Baliyan, Sunil Kumar Mandal and Manoj Kumar (2023). Population Dynamics of Major Sucking Insect Pests of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata Linn. and their Correlation with Weather Parameters. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 108-111.