Studies on the seasonal incidence of different insect pests and their natural enemies of Mulberry and their correlation with weather parameters under Terai Region of West Bengal

Abstract

A study on different insect pests and natural enemies of mulberry under Terai agro-ecological region was conducted in mulberry garden of Department of Agricultural Entomology, Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coch Behar, West Bengal, India from January 2017 to March 2018. During this experiment different insects i.e. two species of cowbug, grey weevil, spittle bug, thrips, bihar hairy caterpillar, papaya mealy bug, pink mealy bug were found to infest the mulberry plantation. Among the natural enemies, three species of ladybird beetle were identified. Peak population of 1st and 2nd cowbug species were recorded on 42nd STW, 2017 and 52nd SMW, 2017 respectively with 0.9 and 0.8 number of insect/ plant. Distinct peak period of grey weevil and spittle bug were observed on 21st SMW and 26th SMW, 2018 respectively with 0.7 and 0.9 number of insect/ plant. Highest population of thrips / leaf (8) were recorded on 45th SMW, 2017. Peak population of Bihar hairy catterpillar (4.7 number of insect/ plant) were recorded on 24th SMW, 2017. The peak population of pink mealy bug and papaya mealy bug was observed on 31st and 35th SMW, 2017 respectively with 61.9 and 164.9 number of nymph and adult per 10 cm twig.