Influence of weather parameters on the incidence of insect pests and natural enemies associated with lentil and field pea in Bihar

During the period of investigation, aphids and pod borer complex were found to be the major pests causing economic losses during both the vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. Temperature, evaporation and sunshine hours played an important role in the population fluctuation of aphids in lentil whereas temperature and wind speed had impact on the population fluctuation of aphids in field pea. Weather parameters such as wind speed and sunshine hours had a significant relation with the population of pod borer in both the crops. The population of natural enemies were found to be fluctuating within certain upper and lower limits throughout the cropping periods. The population of lady bird beetle showed positive and significant relation with the larval population of pod borer.