author(s)
Zadda Kavitha and C Vijayaraghavan

abstract
Redgram spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata is an important biotic constraint in realizing higher yields in this rain-fed crop. As this borer hides in flower webs and continues to damage, it remains unnoticed in the field and it escapes the insecticidal contact. An experiment was conducted at National Pulses Research Centre, TNAU, Vamban, Pudukottai district, Tamil Nadu from 2016 to 2019 to study the incidence pattern of M. vitrata at different dates of sowings and the effect of weather factors on it’s abundance. M. vitrata incidence was less in the August second fortnight sown redgram. Redgram crop when sown during the third week of September suffered more with this borer incidence. When compared to this, October first fortnight sown crop suffered less. Delayed sowings recorded more insect incidence. Redgram crop sown in the second fortnight of September was more susceptible to this borer. Incidence of Maruca was significantly positively correlated with the maximum relative humidity and significantly negatively correlated with the minimum relative humidity.