Seasonal occurrence of pulse pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (L.) on chick pea at Eastern U.P. region

Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is the most damaging pest where pulse crop is grown. The incidence of the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera in chick pea commenced from second week of February i.e. in the early part of 1^st fortnight of February, with 0.05 mean larval population/plant. The larval populations started increasing and reached its maximum of 12.97 mean larval population/plant during 4^th week of March (12^th standard week). The population has significantly positive correlation with both minimum and maximum temperature and the correlation coefficient being 0.71 and 0.82, respectively. The correlation coefficient of morning and afternoon relative humidity was −0.66. The rainfall and larval population showed positive correlation coefficient (0.03) but it was non-significant. The wind velocity and the sunshine hours showed positive non significant correlation with larval population.