Insect pest scenario of pigeonpea in Northern Karnataka

Field survey was carried out for three years from 2001 to 2003 in Bijapur and Gulbarga districts of northern Karnataka where extensive cultivation of pigeonpea is followed. A roving survey was taken up during different stages of the crop growth on farmer's fields; insect pests observed during various stages of the crop growth were recorded both from farmers as well as the research fields. The survey carried out over three years in two districts revealed that a total of 30 insect pests were found feeding on pigeonpea. Out of these, two pests viz., Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and Aceria cajani Channa. were recorded as major pests on this crop by causing more than 51 per cent damage to the crop, whereas, eleven insects viz., Megalurothrips usitatus (Bangall), Empoasca kerri Pruthi, Clavigralla gibbosa Spinola, Riptortus pedestris Fb., Exelastis atomosa (May.), Melanagromyza obtusa Mlloch, Cydia ptychora (Meyr.), Maruca testulalis (Geyer), Etiella zinckenella Treit., Adisura atkinsoni M. and Mylabris pustulata (Thumberg) were recorded as moderate pests by inflicting damage between 31 to 50 per cent. As many as seven insect pests were recorded as minor pests on this crop, while ten were recorded as negligible pests.