Population fluctuations of Helicoverpa armigera and Campoletis chlorideae and their relationship on Chickpea

Two peaks of the larval population of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera were noticed first peak during 49^th meteorological week(MSW) with a maximum of 1.73 and 2.13 larvae m^−l row length and second peak with 8.93 and 7.93 larvae m⁻¹ row during 8–9^th MSW in 2003–04 and 2004–05, respectively which decreased sharply with maturity of the crop. The temperature and wind speed showed positive relationship with the larval multiplication during both the years. Relative humidity and rainfall exhibited negative effect on larval multiplication of pest during first the year. The Ichneumonids (Campoletis chlorideae) exhibited reciprocal relationship with environmental parameters and suppressed larvae of H. armigera.