Vegetos

Abstract

The population dynamics and infestation pattern of brinjal shoot and fruit borer (BSFB) Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee in relation to different environmental factors was studied during the winter seasons of 2009–10 and 2010–11 at Keonjhar, Odisha. The maximum adult activity was noticed during 50^th and 7^th SW in 2009–10 and during 48^th and 7^th SW in 2010–11, whereas, the highest larval population of BSFB was observed one week after the maximum adult activity in each case. The pest infestation on shoots started from the second fortnight of October in both the years and the peak shoot infestation was observed during 47^th and 49^th SW in 2009–10 and 2010–11, respectively. However, the peak infestation on flower buds and fruits occurred during 51^st and 8^th SW in 2009–10 and on 49^th and 8^th SW during 2010–11. From the correlation study it was observed that temperature factors exerted a positive influence and relative humidity had a negative effect on the population build up and infestation of the pest. The findings indicated that the abiotic factors temperature and relative humidity had maximum contribution towards the fluctuation in pest incidence and infestation.