Effect of weather factors on the population dynamics of litchi stink bug, Tessaritoma papillosa (Drury)

Studies were conducted to understand the population dynamics of Litchi stink bug, Tessaritoma papillosa. It was found high in summer (92.13), moderate during monsoon season (81.34) and low in winter season (73.55). The correlation of monthly T. papillosa incidence was positive with maximum temperature (r = 0.533), minimum temperature (r = 0.181), relative humidity (r = 0.205) and rainfall (r = 0.071) About 54 percent of the variation in T. papillosa incidence have been collectively explained when all the weather parameters are incorporated in the model. Though the developed model resulted in considerably high R² value (54%), none of the regression coefficient was significantly related to T. papillosa incidence as indicated by the t-test statistic value (being less than 2.0). Y= 12.23 + 0.86 (X₁) + 0.60 (X₂) -0.90 (X₃) + 0.84 (X₄) -0.02 (X₅) with all abiotic factors considered as full regression model.