Population dynamics, damage pattern and management of spotted pod borer (Maruca testulalis Geyer.) in early pigeonpea under North Bihar conditions

In 2-year studies it was found that the larval population of the spotted pod borer, Maruca testulalis fluctuated widely in relation to seasonal changes beginning from the second week of October till the end of December. The period of maximum activity was between second and last week of November, when the mean population fluctuated around 12.67 to 15.17 larvae/plant. The damage to flowers was minimum (0.65%) in the second week of October and increased to maximum level (18.66%) in the last week of November. The mean level of pod damage gradually increased from 10.46 to 26.50% from the third week of October to last week of December. Fenvalerate (0.01%) was found the best treatment among the insecticides tested and gave maximum reduction in pod damage (73.7%) and increase in grain yield (78.3%) over untreated control. Neem oil (2.0%) also reduced pod damage upto 30.4 per cent.