Insect-pests succession of spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb.) in northern hill region of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Among the Spine gourd cucurbit fruit fly, hadda beetle and leaf eating caterpillar population first commenced from first week of August and leaf miner was observed in second week of August, while red pumpkin beetle was noticed in third week of August. The population of cucurbit fruit fly and hadda beetle increased gradually afterwards to reached peak population of 3.0 adult/plant and 6.0 grubs/adult/plant in the second week of September, respectively. The peak occurrence of leaf eating caterpillar of 2.0 larva/plant was observed in third week of September. The population of leaf miner and red pumpkin beetle were observed 2.0 maggots/plant and 2.0 adult/plant in third week of September, respectively. The activity of bihar hairy caterpillar was observed short period during first to third week of October and highest (1.3 larva/plant) in second week of October. Weather parameters were found to be responsible for certain changes in the activities of insect-pests viz., cucurbit fruit fly, hadda beetle, leaf miner, red pumpkin beetle, leaf eating caterpillar and Bihar hairy caterpillar in spine gourd. The correlation was found positive and non-significant at various parameters such as temperature (maximum and minimum) and morning RH. While, in the case of Bihar hairy caterpillar, correlation was found negative and non-significant at minimum temperature. Similarly, the correlation was found negative and non-significant at both factors, RH (evening) and rainfall.