Weather based relationship of adult moth catches of pink bollworm (P. gossypiella) and leaf eating caterpillar (S. litura) in cotton growing area of Anand, Gujarat

Abstract

The data pertaining to adult moth catches of pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) and leaf eating caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) recorded for nine years (2006-2014) using the light trap installed at College Agronomy Farm, Anand were analysed in terms of weather parameters obtained from the agrometeorological observatory, Anand. Both the insects were found to be active throughout the year, however their populations were minimum during April to September. The correlation analysis indicated that the most of the weather parameters had negative and significant association except sunshine hours, which has significant positive correlation. The stepwise regression analysis revealed that wind speed and morning vapour pressure could explain 87 per cent variation in pink bollworm, while wind speed and afternoon vapour pressure could explain 65 per cent variation in leaf eating caterpillar.

Keywords

• Pectinophora gossypiella
• Spodoptera litura
• adult moth catches
• light trap
• cotton,
• weather parameters