Seasonal abundance of sucking pests of ash gourd (Benincasa Hispida) (Thunb.) Cogn.) in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Field experiment on seasonal abundance of insect pests of ash gourd was conducted by direct counting in farmer’s holdings in Tamil Nadu during 2015-2016. Result revealed that that the major sucking pests were whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), leaf hopper (Amrasca devastans), aphids (Myzus persicae) and thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis). The peak population of A. devastans, B. tabaci and M. persicae was recorded in second and third week of January (3.30 / three leaves / plant, 0.30 / three leaves / plant and 11.20 / three leaves / plant). Population of S. dorsalis was recorded to be the highest during third week of March (7.50/ three leaves / plant). Correlation analysis between weather parameters and abundance of insect pests of ash gourd revealed that temperature, morning relative humidity and sunshine hours played a major role with significant positive influence on the population build up of sucking pests viz., whiteflies, leafhoppers, aphids and thrips. All the abiotic parameters were significant at 5% and 1% level.