Population dynamics of mango hopper as influenced by abiotic factors in new gangetic alluvial zone of West Bengal.
Hati S. R., Sahoo S. K., Jha S., Saha A.
Author Affiliation: Dept. of Agril. Entomology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur 741 252, India.
Environment and Ecology 23 : 314-318
Abstract : The population dynamics of mango hopper (Cicadellidae) was studied in a mango (cv. Himsagar) in Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India, from July 2003 to June 2004. The population varied from 0.85 to 49.75 hoppers per shoot, and from 0.22 to 47.42 hoppers per catch on trunks. The lowest population was observed during the winter (from the second fortnight of October to first fortnight of February). The population gradually increased from 10.57 to 49.75 hoppers per panicle during the second fortnight of March, with a slight fluctuation from the second fortnight of February to the first fortnight of April. This period normally coincided with floral bud initiation in mango. The hopper started laying eggs on the inflorescence. In trunks, the population gradually increased from 7.80 to 47.42 from the first fortnight of March to the second fortnight of May. The population decreased from the first fortnight of July on shoots and from the second fortnight of July on trunks. The lowest populations on shoots and trunks were observed when the average fortnightly temperature was 16.0-28.1 and 16.0-29.6°C, respectively. When the average temperature increased from 24.1 to 30.5°C (until the second fortnight of June), HP increased. The maximum temperature (MT) showed the greatest correlation with HP. The average day temperature exhibited a greater association with HP than the average night temperature (NT). HP was positively associated with afternoon vapour pressure (AVP) but was negatively associated with rainfall. MT, NT and AVP accounted for 64 and 59% of the variability in HP in shoots and trunks, respectively.