Population Dynamics of Sucking Pests of Sugarcane viz., Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects, Whitefly, Leaf Hopper and Its Ectoparasite, Epiricania melanoleuca Fletcher

Investigation on Population dynamics of sucking pests of sugarcane viz., mealy bugs, scale insects, whitefly, leaf hopper and its ecto-parasite, Epiricania melanoleuca Fletcher was carried out at Main Sugarcane Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari for three crop seasons. An unsprayed sugarcane plot measuring 30 m x 30 m was kept during 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2011–12 crop seasons. The results revealed that Whitefly, leaf hopper and E. melanoleuca were observed from 28^th to 34^th standard weeks, while incidence of mealy bugs and scale insects was recorded from 31^st week after planting to harvest. Based on results of this investigation, it can be inferred that sucking pests and ecto-parasite were observed simultaneously in sugarcane fields.