An experiment on the population dynamics of mustard sawfly, Athalia proxima (Klug) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) in radish was conducted at Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat during Rabi, 2022-2023. The infestation of A. proxima in radish crop commenced in the second week of December (50th SMW) and it persisted up to the harvest of crop (4th SMW). The population of mustard sawfly fluctuated from 0.55 to 1.95 larvae/plant and attained a peak (1.95 larvae/plant) during the fourth week of December (52nd SMW). Thereafter, the population gradually declined and it was recorded up to harvest of the crop in the fourth week of January (4th SMW). The population of A. proxima exhibited non-significant negative correlation with all the weather parameters such as maximum temperature, minimum temperature, morning relative humidity, evening relative humidity, bright sunshine hours, wind speed, morning as well as evening vapour pressure and vapour pressure deficit. A. proxima causes significant damage to the radish crop at the seedling stage but information pertaining to its incidence and correlation with different weather parameters on radish is scarce. Hence, the study on population dynamics of A. proxima in radish was conducted.

Population dynamics, Athalia proxima, Radish, Mustard sawfly

From the present study, it can be concluded that the infestation of A. proxima in radish during Rabi commenced during the second week after germination i.e. second week of December (50th SMW) and it persisted up to the harvest of crop (4th SMW). The population attained a peak (1.95 larvae/plant) during the fourth week of December i.e. fourth week after germination (52nd SMW). Correlation analysis indicated that the larval population of A. proxima exhibited a non-significant negative correlation with all the weather parameters.

Manvi Aggarwal and S.D. Patel (2023). Population Dynamics of Mustard Sawfly, Athalia proxima (Klug) in Radish. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 461-463.