Influence of Weather Parameters on Helicoverpa armigera Monitoring Using Pheromone and Light Traps in Sunflower Ecosystem

Abstract

Impact of climatic factors on pheromone and light trap catches of Helicoverpa armigera in sunflower crop and their correlation with various weather parameters was assessed during kharif 2012 and 2013 at the ZARS, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. Moth catches were recorded from August to December in both years, with peak activity observed in October and November. In 2012, pheromone traps recorded maximum catches during the 48th standard meteorological week (SMW), while light traps showed peak captures in the 40th SMW. In 2013, both traps recorded highest moth activity around the 41st SMW. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses revealed significant relationships between trap catches and weather variables of corresponding week. In 2012, minimum temperature showed a strong negative correlation with pheromone trap catches (r = -0.671), while soil temperature was positively correlated with light trap catches (r = 0.624*). In 2013, minimum temperature again showed a significant negative correlation with both trap types. When data were pooled, multiple regression models indicated that weather parameters accounted for 79.80 and 63.39 per cent of the variability in pheromone and light trap catches, respectively.