Population dynamics of cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solepnosis Tinsely in three talukas of district Sanghar (Sindh)

Abstract

The cotton mealybug (CMB), Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive pest species that has appeared on a large scale few years back. Considering lack of studies in population dynamic of CMB, this study was designed in three taluka of district Sanghar. In field survey, the highest CMB mean population of 99.8±7.8 per plant twig was observed from Shadadpur. Throughout the cotton growing season, highest CMB mean population of 222.3±22.8 was observed in second fortnight visit of September. The results regarding the population dynamics of P. solepnosis showed comparatively similar trend in all taluka. The significant effect of environmental factors on CMB population was observed through correlation however, there was no effect of relative humidity on the CMB population in all talukas. The maximum damage percentage of cotton crop was observed at first fortnight visit of October and such results were remain constant until second fortnight visit in all taluka.