Impacts of abiotic factors on population fluctuation of insect fauna of Vigna radiata and Tetranychus urticae Koch in Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on population dynamics of insect pests of mung bean was studied during mung bean growing season of 2005. Insect pests included thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.) and field cricket (Gryllus assimilis) and one arachnid pest mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch). Results revealed that the maximum population of thrips and mites was observed on August 23, 2005 with 1.537±0.031 per leaf and July 6, 2005 with 3.271±0.09 per leaf, respectively. The population of field cricket differed significantly during crop season and reached its peak during the initial stage of crop growth on June 14, 2005, i.e., 0.873±0.014 per plant at the temperature and relative humidity of 32°C and 54%, respectively, while the minimum population was noted on August, i.e., 0.710±0.010 per plant. Present studies conclusively document the correlation of weather factors and insect pest population. Temperature had a negative and significant correlation with thrips (r=-0.860) and a positive and significant correlation with mites (r=0.606) and field cricket (r=0.439). However, the relative humidity displayed a positive and significant correlation with thrips (r=0.569), a negative non-significant correlation with mites (r=-0.313), and a significant negative correlation with field cricket (r=-0.770).

Key words： abiotic factor; insect fauna; Thrips tabaci Lind; Gryllus assimilis; Tetranychus urticae Koch

Acknowledgements

We are sincerely grateful to Dr. M.K., a Lohar professor and chairman from the Department of Entomology Sindh Agriculture University, for his greatest interest in our research; Prof. Asifa Hameed for going through the manuscript and providing many useful suggestions for improvement; and Dr. Maqsood Anwar Rustamani from the Department of Entomology Sindh Agriculture University for providing academic guidance and necessary actions.

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