Insect pests and their natural enemies on marigold in plain region of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The sucking pests, aphid and thrips were observed in last week of October and first week of November to last week of January respectively. Aphid Population of aphid 8 per twigs (10 cm from top) of a plant were first appeared during third week of October (43th SMW) with the maximum number 49.32 insect per twigs were observed during 4th week of December (52th SMW), and The incidence of black thrips was first observed as a minute insect on the flower petals 1st week of November (45th SMW) with 6.70 average population per plant then it gradually increased to 17.40 insect including nymph and adult second week of December (50th SMW). The infestation of bud caterpillar on marigold during last week of November (44th SMW) and remain up to the maturity stage of the crop. The highest population (5.70 larvae per plant) of the insect was recorded in third week of December (48th SMW), and lowest population 1.20 caterpillar per plant of marigold at second week of January 2024 (2nd SMW). The population of natural enemies on marigold field was observed on the basis of number from third week of October 2023 to last week of January 2024.