Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF MAJOR INSECT PESTS AND NATURAL ENEMIES ON BRINJAL CROP AND EFFECT OF ABIOTIC FACTOR ON ITS DYNAMICS

Payal Devi, Tarun Kumar Sahu, Ram Bihari Ahirwar and Pritansha Bhagat

Abstract

Brinjal crop was infested by many insect pests viz. jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula Isida) whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) and shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee). Whitefly appeared with peak population of whitefly per pant during last week of March. The whitefly population showed non significant correlation with maximum and minimum temperatures and sunshine hours. Whitefly population was significantly positive correlation with spider and lady bird beetle. The maximum population of jassid was observed during fourth week of April. The jassid population showed significantly positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperatures and sunshine hours. Jassid population against natural enemies showed significant positive association with spider and lady bird beetle. The regression equation for spider and lady bird beetle population was [y = 0.104x + 0.298; R² = 0.856] and [y = 0.101x + 0.516; R² = 0.849], respectively. Maximum fruit infestation (32.71%) recorded during first week of May. Activity of brinjal shoot and fruit borer population showed significantly positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperatures and wind velocity.