Seasonal Incidence of Sucking Pests and Their Natural Enemies in Okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Abstract

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench is a major vegetable crop grown in India. The crop is susceptible to various sucking insects and mite pests throughout the cropping period. The present field experiment was carried out to observe the incidence and correlation between weather parameters and sucking pests along with their natural enemies in okra (variety Arka Anamika) at Central Research Station, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during summer 2021.The maximum population of two major sucking pests i.e., leafhopper and whitefly was observed at 22nd and 19th standard meteorological week (SMW), respectively where as the peak activity of aphid and two spotted spider mites were recorded at 21st SMW. Among the natural enemies, coccinellid and spiders were recorded and the highest activity was observed at 22nd SMW. The correlation studies revealed a significant positive correlation between minimum temperature (r= 0.577) and afternoon relative humidity (r= 0.618) with leafhopper population. Further, there was significant negative correlation between spider population and maximum temperature (r= -0.788) where as both morning and afternoon relative humidity (r= 0.677 and r= 746) had positive effect. In addition, there was significant positive correlation between the predators (coccinellid and spider) and prey (aphid and leafhopper) population. Therefore, from ecological point of view understanding the relationship between pest and natural enemies and their incidence is necessary to take timely pest management measures.