Seasonal dynamics of insect pests of sugar beet under sub-tropical conditions

Abstract

The present study was conducted for three years (2012-13 to 2014-15) on sugar beet crop at PAU, Ludhiana to establish the relationship between weather parameters and insect pests infesting sugar beet crop. The observations on the incidence of insect pests recorded at weekly intervals were analyzed to correlate the effects of the abiotic factors on population of insect pests. Aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer population showed negative correlation with maximum and minimum temperature and positive correlation with relative humidity. Spodoptera litura Fabricius and Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) showed positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperature and negative with relative humidity. Regression analysis was also worked out between population of these insect pests infesting sugar beet.

Keywords

• Insect pests
• population dynamics
• sugar beet
• climatic factors