Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

Volume 3, Issue 1

Population dynamics of Plutella xylostella (L.) in cauliflower and its correlation with weather parameters at Peshawar, Pakistan

Author(s): Bashir Ahmad, Ahmad-Ur-Rahman Saljoqi, Muhammad Saeed, Farman Ullah and Imtiaz Ali Khan

Abstract: Studies were carried out from June to November, during 2012 and 2013 at Peshawar, Pakistan to determine the population dynamics of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis and its correlation with weather parameters. The highest mean population of larvae and pupae (4.75±2.14 and 6.7±1.71) per plant was recorded in September whereas the lowest (0.2±0.41 and 0.4±0.71) was recorded in July, 2012 and 2013 respectively. A negatively non-significant correlation (r = -0.31 and -0.18) was recorded with maximum temperatures, whereas with minimum temperature, the association (r = 0.02 and 0.06) was positively non-significant. Percent Relative Humidity showed a positively significant (p<0.05) relationship (r =0.79 and 0.67) with population dynamics whereas a negative correlation ((r = -0.98 and -0.46) was recorded with total rainfall but was statistically significant in 2012 and non-significant in 2013. Multiple regression models showed 90-98% (R2) interaction between the population of P. xylostella and weather parameters.

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