Seasonal Incidence and Management of Pear Psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola Foerster, Hemiptera, Psyllidae) in Kashmir, India

Abstract

Pear (Pyrus communis) is an important fruit crop cultivated worldwide, including the temperate regions of India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir. Pear Psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola (Foerster) has emerged as a significant pest, causing substantial losses by stunting tree growth, reducing fruit size leading to premature leaf drop. The present study investigated the influence of various abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity and rainfall on the seasonal incidence and population dynamics of Pear Psylla in four locations from two districts viz., Baramulla and Srinagar, Kashmir. Regular pest monitoring and meteorological data revealed that maximum and minimum temperatures had a positive correlation with Pear Psylla populations while rainfall and maximum relative humidity were negatively correlated. Regression analysis showed that these climatic factors accounted for up to 95% of the variation in pest populations. The results of the evaluation of different insecticides revealed that Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD with an efficacy of 92.74%, proved to be the most effective followed by Acetamiprid 20% SP (90.87%). These findings highlighted that the optimal temperature range for Psylla development was between 27°C and 29°C suggesting that the weather conditions played a crucial role in fluctuating pest population and can govern the integrated pest management strategies.