Population dynamics of Plutella xylostella (L.) in cauliflower and its correlation with weather parameters

A field study was carried out during 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the experimental farm of Dayanand College Ajmer, Rajasthan to determine the population dynamics of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis and its correlation with weather parameters. the population of P. xylostellawas first appeared on the crop in the first week of October (40^th Standard Meteorological Week). Initially, the population of P. xylostella was recorded as 2.00 / pheromone traps. The pheromone traps (0.02 pheromone traps) commenced its activity during last week of October, which slightly increased to 3.80 pheromone/ plant in the second week of November. The peak population of P. Xylostella larvae was observed being 0.90 pheromone traps /plant during third week of December. The maximum and minimum temperature (r =-0.548 and r = -0.536). The influence of morning relative humidity (r = 0.360) and evening relative humidity (r = 0.309) was non-significant positive on the larval population build up. Though, the rainfall (r = -0.224) had non-significant positively effect on larval population build up. The correlation study between weather parameters and larval population of P. xylostella during 2020-21 inferred maximum temperature showed significant negative (r = - 0.704), while minimum temperature (r = -0.828) had non significant association with the P. xylostella pheromone traps population.