Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

The study was performed to study seasonal incidence of major pests affecting sesame from July to September at Pantnagar, 2021. The occurrences of till hawk moth Acherontia styx Westwood; Bihar hairy caterpillar Spilarctia obliqua Walker; leaf webber Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel); whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius and leaf hopper Orosius albicinctus Distant were monitored during this period. The findings reveal specific patterns of pest emergence and population dynamics. Till hawk moth larvae initially appeared at the end of July, reaching peak infestation by late August before declining and disappearing by the end of September. The population showed various correlations with abiotic factors, with significant positive correlations observed with minimum relative humidity and rainfall. Similarly, Bihar hairy caterpillar and leaf webber showed distinct emergence patterns and correlations with meteorological parameters. Whitefly incidence started in late July, peaking in late August, with correlations indicating positive associations with minimum temperature, maximum relative humidity, minimum relative humidity and rainfall. Leaf hopper population dynamics showed an initial increase from early August to mid-September, with correlations suggesting positive relationships with maximum temperature, wind velocity, evaporation and sunshine hours.