author(s)
Jhumar Lal, R Swaminathan, Ashok Kumar Meena and Rajendra Nagar

abstract
The cabbage crop was abundantly infested by major insect pests that were aphids, painted bug, flea beetle and diamond back moth during both years; whereas, tobacco caterpillar recorded as pests during the crop season in 2016-17. Infestation by aphids and DBM (rabi, 2016-17) initiated in December and that of painted bug, flea beetles and tobacco caterpillar initiated in the month of January. The major insect pests reached their peak mean populations during February to March. During rabi, 2015-16, the mean atmospheric temperature had a significant positive correlation (r = 0.63, 0.63, 0.85) with painted bug, flea beetle and diamond back moth, respectively. The sunshine hours had a significant positive correlation (r = 0.62, 0.78) with painted bug during 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. Whereas, relative humidity had a significant negative correlation (r = -0.62) with flea beetle during 2015-16.