Survey for the incidence of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.) and natural enemies in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) is the major insect pest in brassica growing regions of world and Indian subcontinent. The survey on the incidence of DBM and natural enemies was done in five mandals of Chittoor and a mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh during Rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. The per cent infestation per field, per cent infestation per plant and per cent damage in curd was recorded. The highest per cent of damage was noticed in Konganapalle village (87.00%) and Cheldiganipalle village (83.00%) of Kuppam mandal in Rabi 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively. The minimum damage per cent of 15.50 and 16.50 during Rabi, 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively in Chintapalle mandal of Visakhapatnam District. The infestation of DBM (100%) observed in every field followed by aphids, tobacco caterpillar and leaf webber. The infestation of natural enemies were also recorded, highest per cent incidence of Braconids (Cotesia plutellae), followed by coccinellids and syrphids were noticed.