Damage potential of spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus and red spider mite, Tetranychus spp. and influence of weather parameters on their occurrence in Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt.

Studies were undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani and various locations at Thiruvananthapuram, S. India during 2006–2007 to assess the extent of damage caused by spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus and red spider mite, Tetranychus spp. infesting coccinia. The damage by A. dispersus was observed in the field only from February 2007 to June 2007 and it ranged from 2.39 to 14.76 and the infestation by Tetranychus sp. was observed only in five months during the period of observation and the infestation ranged from 4.06 to 27.62. Both A. dispersus and Tetranychus sp. occurred only in the summer season. The damage caused by A. dispersus and Tetranychus sp. had significant positive correlation with maximum temperature.