Population dynamics of gall insects infesting som and soalu plants Sahu Bhupen Kumar*, Samal Ipsita1, Sarkar Debashree2, Bhoi Tanmaya Kumar1 Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, 785013 1Division of Entomology, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 2College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003 *Email: bhupenkumar797@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Online published on 21 July, 2020. Abstract The present study on the population dynamics of gall insects infesting Som (Perseabombycina King) and Soalu (Litseamonopetala Roxb.) in relation to weather factors was carried out in the experimental field of Department of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University and CMER&TI, Lahdoigarh during 2017–18. Results indicated that gall insects, Asphondylia spp. on som and Pauropsylla beesoni on soalu are host and organ specific. Galls insects appear throughout the year; however, the incidence and population density of the pest varied and reached a peak in July. Correlation and regression studies were carried out between the incidence and population density of gall insects with the weather parameters viz., temperature (maximum and minimum), relative humidity (maximum and minimum), total rainfall, number of rainy days and bright sunshine hours. Significant correlation was observed with temperature (maximum and minimum), relative humidity (minimum) and total rainfall with population buildup. Top Keywords Persea bombycina, Litsea monopetala, gall insects, Asphondylia spp, Pauropsylla beesoni, correlation coefficients, regression analysis, host specificity, seasonal incidence. Top |