Seasonal incidence and abundance of pod borers and natural enemies in pigeonpea

Pigeonpea {Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp} is a vital pulse crop in India, contributing significantly to food and nutritional security. However, its productivity is severely constrained by pod borer infestations, which can cause substantial yield losses. A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2018 at the College of Agriculture, Pune, Maharashtra, to study the seasonal incidence of major pod borers and their natural enemies. Four key pod borers, Maruca vitrata, Exelastis atomosa, Helicoverpa armigera and Melanagromyza obtusa, were recorded at different crop stages. M vitrata was prevalent during flowering and early pod formation, while H armigera and E atomosa peaked during the pod development stage. M obtusa incidence extended up to pod maturity. Among these, H armigera inflicted the highest pod damage (7.60-12.40%), followed by E atomosa (2.40-10.20%), M vitrata (4.00-6.90%) and M obtusa (1.20-6.60%). Natural enemies, including coccinellids, chrysopids and spiders, were active throughout the crop growth period, with peak populations coinciding with higher pest densities. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring seasonal pest dynamics and conserving natural enemies to develop effective and eco-friendly management strategies for pigeonpea production.