Population dynamics and natural enemies of Erionota torus Evans (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) on two cultivars of banana in Karnataka

Field studies were conducted on population dynamics of banana skipper, Erionota torus Evans at Shivamogga, Karnataka, India during 2015–16. The incidence of E. torus on Ney Poovan or Puttabaale (AB) started during first fortnight of August (6.67%) and reached peak (100%) during second fortnight of February 2016. Whereas, on Grande Naine or G9 (AAA), the infestation ranged from 1.67 to 31.67 per cent. The correlation of plant damage due to pest on. Ney Poovan. with weather parameters revealed that, highlysignificant and positive correlation withmaximum temperature (r = 0.56**) and sun shine hours (r = 0.63**). Whereas, significant negative correlation was noticed with minimum temperature (r =-0.51*), morning (r =-0.70**) andevening (r =-0.83**) relative humidityand rainfall (r =-0.51*). Among the two cultivars, significantly maximum incidence was noticed on Ney Poovan (31.87% plant infestation) as compared to Grande Naine (9.65% plant infestation). The natural enemies viz., Centropus sinensis, Corvus splendens, Oecophylla smaragdina, spiders and unidentified tachnid parasitoid were recorded at different stages of the pest.