Insect pest complex of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Himachal Pradesh

Eight locations in two zones of Himachal Pradesh. viz., zone-I four locations (Bassal, Malan, Kangra and Palampur) and zone-II four locations (Bajaura, Jogindernagar, Sundernagar and Banjar) were surveyed employing quadrat method to record the insect-pests infesting wheat at a regular interval. Surveys revealed that wheat crop was found infested with aphids, termite and armyworm. The peak aphid population was recorded during March, 2012 at all the locations. Peak population of aphids (aphids/shoot) was recorded at Malan (51.3) and Sundernagar (53.7) of zone-I and zone-II, respectively. The peak per cent plant infestation by aphid was recorded in Bassal (62.0) and Bajaura (56.0) of zone-I and zone-II, respectively. The population of adult coccinellids was 0.6, 0.8, 2.9, 2.7, 3.6 and 3.3 during 8^th, 10^th, 12^th, 14^th, 15^th and 16^th standard week, respectively showing a rising population trend with increase in aphid population. Higher termite infestations were recorded at Bassal and Sundernagar of zone-I and zone-II, respectively as compared to other locations. The incidence of armyworm was low at all the locations fluctuating between 0.2–1.8 and 0.01 -2.1 in zone-I and zone-II, respectively. However, the incidence was highest at Kangra and Palampur in zone-I i.e. 1.8 larvae/ten shoots and at Bajaura (2.1 larvae/ten shoots) of zone-II. Aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis was found to be the dominant species infesting wheat in Himachal Pradesh.