Population dynamics and seasonal occurrence of Tessaratoma javanica Thunberg in Litchi Orchards

Population dynamics and seasonal occurrence of litchi bug, Tessaratoma javanica was studied in young and old litchi orchards. In old litchi orchard, the peak litchi bug population i.e. a total of 121 different life stages of bug/100 litchi shoots was recorded during second week of June while in young litchi orchard, the highest bug population was observed during the first week of July with a count of 409 different life stages of bug on 100 litchi shoots. The population of litchi bug was positively significantly correlated with maximum temperature, whereas this correlation was significant and negative with maximum R.H. The insect population had a significant positive correlation with rainfall and maximum temperature, while significant and negative with R.H. It was observed that litchi bug, first appeared in last week of April and disappeared from litchi orchard after last week of August and underwent hibernation in adult stages.