Population Dynamics of Major Insect Pests of Cucumber

Abstract

This study on incidence of the jassid Amrasca biguttula biguttula in cucumber reveal that the incidence begins from 10^th standard meteorological week (SMW) (0.56 jassid/ three leaves) with a peak (2.96 jassids/ three leaves) in the 16^th SMW. Whitefly Bemisia tabaci appeared during 11^th SMW (0.80 whiteflies/ three leaves), increasing to a a peak (2.65 whiteflies/ three leaves) during 17^th SMW. Fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae infestation on fruit began from the 13^th SMW (16.35%), with a maximum (45.03%) during the 17^th SMW. Leaf miner Liriomyza trifolii infestation started from the 10^th SMW (0.66%), with leaf damage being maximum (4.45%) at the 15th SMW. Maximum and minimum temperature showed significant and positive correlation with B. cucurbitae infestation, whereas the morning and evening relative humidity had non-significant and positive association.