Insect Pests of Early Pigeon-pea in Relation to Weather Parameters

Field trial was conducted to study the impact of weather parameters on the population of insect pests infesting during vegetative and flowering stage of UPAS-120 cultivar of pigeon-pea. The maximum, minimum and average temperatures and relative humidity had significant positive and negative impact on the population buildup of leaf webber (Grapholita critica) and flower thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus), respectively. The non significant negative effect of rain fall, wind velocity and sunshine hrs was observed on the pest population while water evaporation showed significant positive impact on leaf webber and negative impact on flower thrips. In case of jassid (Empoasca kerri) and bud weevil (Indozocladius asperulus), the maximum, minimum and average temperatures and R.H., rain fall and wind velocity showed non-significant negative effect while sunshine and water evaporation showed non-significant positive effect. Temperature, sunshine and water evaporation showed non-significant negative impact on blister beetle (Mylabris pustulata) population while maximum, minimum and average R.H., wind velocity and rain fall had positive impact on blister beetle population infesting pigeon-pea crop.