Population dynamics of white fly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua (Walker) in Black gram

A field trial was conducted during kharif season divulged the initiation of white fly infestation was recorded in 2^nd week of August and reached a peak level 10.8/5 leaves in 2^nd week of September when the temperature ranged between 20.6–29.9°C and RH 70–99%. Correlation coefficient values for white fly incidence and weather parameters showed that maximum and minimum RH besides minimum temperature had positive correlation but maximum temperature and rainfall showed negatively correlation with white fly population. While, Bihar hairy caterpillar first appearance was recorded in 4^th week of August and reached a peak level 10.44 larvae/mrl in 4^th week of October when the temperature ranged between 15.1–30.7°C and RH 62–96%. Correlation coefficient values for Bihar hairy caterpillar incidence and weather parameters showed that maximum temperature had positive correlation and minimum temperature, maximum and minimum RH besides rainfall had negative influence on Bihar hairy caterpillar population.