Population dynamics of pod borer complex in pigeonpea in relation to abiotic factors

Field studies carried out during 2003–04 and 2004–05 in pigeon pea showed that pod borer complex had a definite successional trend with Lampides boeticus appearing first in the early flowering stage followed by Cydia ptychora, Exelastis atomosa, and Melanagromyza obtusa which continued till crop maturity. Thus, the crop remained vulnerable to pod borer complex from second week of January to third week of February and the populations fluctuated from 35.5% to 45.5% in the 1^st year and 37.0% to 42.3% in the 2^nd year. L. boeticus dominated throughout and a majority of the pod borers showed negative correlation with temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and wind speed except in few cases; however, a positive correlation was observed with all the pod borers and sunshine hours.