Population dynamics of major insect-pests of lentil and correlation with abiotic factors

Population dynamics of insect-pests, viz. Helicoverpa armigera Hubner, Etiella zinckenella (Treitschke) and Aphis craccivora Koch on lentil were studied under field conditions during Rabi 2018–19 and 2019–20 at Research farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Rohtak. The first appearance of H. armigera and E. zinckenella on lentil was observed from 5^th Standard meteorological week (SMW), while A. craccivora was noted from 1^st SMW during both the years. Peak population of H. armigera (0.96 larvae/plant), E. zinckenella (1.64 larvae/plant) and A. craccivora (12.22 aphids/plant) was recorded during the 8^th, 10^th and 6^th SMWs, respectively (Rabi 201819). While, during Rabi 2019–20, the peaks of H. armigera (1.30 larvae/plant), E. zinckenella (1.65 larvae/plant) and A. craccivora (10.70 aphids/plant) were recorded during the 8^th, 9^th and 6^th SMW, respectively. Abiotic factors viz. temperature showed positive and significant correlation with H. armigera and E. zinckenella, while negative correlation with A. craccivora. Similarly, relative humidity and rainfall showed positive and significant correlation with H. armigera and A. craccivora, whereas negative and significant correlation was found with E. zinckenella during 2018–19. However, the association of abiotic factors with insect-pests was found to be non-significant during 2019–20.