Seasonal progression and incidence of Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) on Cotton

Studies on seasonal occurrence of pink bollworm by pheromone trap monitoring revealed that the catches of male moths on cotton started from the month of September with a peak level of pest activity during 2^nd fortnight of December (52^nd standard week) and again from last week of January to first fortnight of February. The peak field incidence of pink bollworm on locule damage and larval incidence was recorded after three weeks of first peak pheromone trap catch i.e. 3^rd standard week to 6^th standard week in both Bt and non Bt cotton. The initiation of incidence was early and intensity of damage was high on non Bt cotton compared to Bt cotton.