Effect of climatic and biotic factors on rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) population in coconut

To gain insights into the factors influencing the RSW in Eastern region of India, a study was undertaken in a coconut plantation. Observations on RSW population density revealed variations ranging from 24 -91 per frond per palm across the different standard meteorological weeks (SMWs). The seasonal population fluctuations showed that RSW infestations were minimal during the wet season and peaked during the summer. Correlation studies among abiotic factors and A. rugioperculatu population showed that maximum temperature (r = 0.52**), minimum temperature (r = 0.32*), and canopy temperature (r = 0.50**) had a significantly positive impact on the whitefly population. The populations of natural enemies were observed to have a negative effect on the build-up of RSW population. Together, biotic and abiotic factors explained 65% (R²) of the total variation in RSW population.