Population Dynamics of Major Insect Pests and their Natural Enemies on Black Gram, Vigna mungo (Linn.) Hepper

Abstract

Insect pest populations are greatly influenced by abiotic factors, particularly temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall. Meteorological variables play a significant role in the seasonal dynamics of pest outbreaks, affecting their development, survival, and behavior. Previous studies have highlighted the strong correlations between environmental factors and pest populations, suggesting that climate change may intensify pest pressure on crops. An experiment was conducted at Adhartal farm, Integrated Farming System unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur during Kharif season 2022-23. Peak period of whitefly, jassid, Ladybird beetle, Spider, Dragonfly and damselfly recorded on 41st SW (i.e., 2nd week of October), 40th SW (i.e., 1st week of October), 37th SW (i.e., 3rd week of September), 45th SW (i.e.  2nd week of November), 44th SW (i.e., 1st week of November) and 40th SW (i.e., 2nd week of October). YMV was recorded maximum during 47th SW (i.e., 4th week of November). Sunshine and rainfall had positive and negative impact on spider population, respectively. First incidence of dragonfly was observed on 4 DOC and was available on the crop for about 101 days i.e., upto 104 DOC and attained one peak i.e., at 84 DOC.  First incidence of damselfly was observed on 4 DOC and was available on the crop for about 101 days i.e., upto 104 DOC and attained one peak i.e., at 52 DOC.  First incidence of YMV infection was observed on 32 DOC and was available on the crop for about 73 days i.e., upto 104DOC and attained one peak i.e., at 104DOC. It is imperative to identify natural predators and parasites, assess the degree of predation and parasitization, analyze abiotic factors conducive to their proliferation, and pinpoint safe biopesticides and biodynamics.