Seasonal Incidence of Insect Pests and Natural Enemies in rabi Groundnut

The study aims to monitor the seasonal patterns of insect pests and their natural enemies in rabi groundnut. There were two surveys involved: fixed plot and roving survey. In fixed plot survey under sprinkler method of irrigation revealed peak incidence of insect pests viz., aphids (3.00/3 leaves/plant) during 49th MSW, thrips (3.12/3 leaves/plant), leaf hoppers (2.70/3 leaves/plant), leaf miner (2.76larvae/plant) and tobacco caterpillar (2.64larvae/plant) during 44th MSW, respectively. Whereas, the peak incidence of coccinellid beetles and spiders were noticed during 45th MSW with 1.60/plant and 1.50/plant respectively persisted upto 49th MSW (1.30/plant) and 47th MSW (1.30/plant) later their population declined. Results pertaining to insect pest and natural enemy incidence in fixed plot survey under conventional method of irrigation revealed peak population of insect pests viz., aphids (5.30/3 leaves/plant), thrips (2.40/3 leaves/plant), leaf hopper (2.60/3 leaves/plant), leaf miner with 2.50 larvae/plant and tobacco caterpillar (2.70 larvae/plant) during 44th MSW, 49th and 52nd MSW, 52nd MSW, 50th to 52nd MSW and 49th MSW, respectively. Whereas, peak incidence of grubs and adults of coccinellid beetles were recorded during 45th MSW (2.00/plant) whereas spiders (2.30spiders/plant) during 48th MSW respectively. The results pertaining to seasonal incidence of insect pests and associated natural enemies in roving survey under sprinkler method of irrigation at Chinnambawi mandal revealed peak population of insect pests (viz., aphids, thrips, leaf hoppers, leaf miner and tobacco caterpillar) during 43rd MSW to 1st MSW and natural enemies (viz., coccinellids and spiders) during 47th and 48th MSW respectively whereas in other mandals (viz., Revally, Peddamandadi and Pangal) peak incidence of insect pests was observed during 47th MSW to 50th MSW respectively whereas peak incidence of natural enemies during 47th MSW to 51st MSW respectively. Understanding these seasonal trends will help in predicting pest outbreaks and optimizing pest management practices to minimize damage and improve yields.