Division of Entomology & Nematology, Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla-171 001, Himachal Pradesh (India).
Field experiments were conducted at the farm of Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) during 1983, 1984 and 1991 potato crop seasons. The population of males of potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) was monitored with the help of sex pheromone baited traps. The heavy snowfall during December, 1990-January, 1991 resulted in drastic fall of atmopsheric temperatures (below 0°C) which proved lethal to the hibernating stages of PTM atlaround Shimla. Because of the dwindling population of PTM larvae during winters of 1990–91, the subsequent potato crop planted in MarchiApril, 1991 remained almost free from the incidence of PTM. The findings have, thus, great practical significance in providing the clue for storing potatoes in cold stores to subsequently check PTM incidence in the field.
