Population Dynamics of Cowpea Aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) in relation to Weather Parameters

Investigations on, “population dynamics of cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) in relation to weather parameters” was carried out at the Entomology Section farm at College of Agriculture, Pune, during Rabi season of the year 2023–24. 10 plants from the plot were selected randomly and cowpea aphid was recorded on weekly interval. The results revealed that the aphid population appeared during the second week after sowing i.e., 4^th week of November 2023 (0.80 aphids/5cm twig) when crop was at vegetative growth stage. Initially, its population was low, gradually increased in its numbers and attained peak level (56.40/5cm twig) at flowering to pod developing stage. Then after, aphid population decreased but remained active throughout the crop growing season. The aphid population showed significant negative correlation with minimum temperature and significant positive correlation with bright sunshine hours.