Insect diversity and population dynamics of major insect pests and natural enemies on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In the present study, eleven species of insect belonging to seven orders were recorded in chickpea. The population of Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera exigua, Autographa nigrisigna, Aphis craccivora and Coccinella septumpunctata appeared during 50th, 52nd, 52nd, 49th, 50th Standard Meteorological Weeks (SMWs), respectively and remained upto 19th SMW. Among lepidopterous pests, the larval population of H. armigera attained its highest peaks in 14th and 16th SMWs in chickpea varieties, HC 1 and HK 1, respectively. Larval population of S. exigua reached its peak in 9th (HC 1) and 12th, 13th and 16th SMW (HK 1), A. nigrisigna in 13th and 16th (HC 1) and 13th and 15th SMW (HK 1). A. craccivora population reached at its peak in 50th (HK 1) and 52nd SMWs (HC 1) whereas C. septumpunctata attained its peaks in 14th (HK 1) and 15th SMWs (HC 1). The pod damage due to H. armigera was 39.32 and 41.44 per cent in HC 1 and HK 1, respectively. Temperature and bright sunshine hours showed a significant and positive correlation with the population of H. armigera, S. exigua, A. nigrisigna and C. septumpunctata. Wind speed exhibited a significant positive effect on the population of A. nigrisigna, S. exigua and C. septumpunctata. Relative humidity exhibited a significant negative correlation with H. armigera, A. nigrisigna and C. septumpunctata.