Survey on major insect pests of groundnut in Southern Telangana zone

Abstract

Survey on major insect pests of groundnut was carried out in Southern Telangana Zone comprising of the three districts viz., Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool and Wanaparthy at three stages of crop growth period viz., vegetative, pod formation and maturity stages for identification of pest scenario. In all the three districts the mean percent damage per plant (14.50-18.85%) and mean no. of larva per plant (0.90-1.05) of tobacco caterpillar were comparatively higher at pod formation stage while percent infested plants were more during maturity stage (38.60-40.30%). With respect to gram caterpillar, the mean percent damage per plant (2.90-3.60%) and mean percent infested plants (12.80-18.50%) was higher at maturity stage while in case of the leaf miner mean percent mining per plant (1.75-3.10%) was more at vegetative stage while mean percent infested plants (7.80-9.50%) was greater at pod formation stage. The mean no. of sucking pests viz., leafhoppers and thrips were recorded to be higher during pod formation stage (2.37-2.47 and 3.92-4.02, respectively).