Effect of temperature, humidity and rainfall on the population of Bactrocera spp in mango orchards of Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India
Dil Mahjoora Majeed, Aijaz Majeed, Shafkat Jabbar Mir, Sajjad Ahmad Khan and Mohd Majid Jamali
This research study was conducted in different mango orchards of Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India, aimed to analyze the impact of abiotic factors such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity on the population fluctuations of Bactrocera spp. The study involved the use of traps with parapheramone Methyl Eugenol, as attractant, to monitor the seasonal incidence of the fruit fly, Bactrocera spp, for a period of seven months Apr-Oct, over the year 2022. The results revealed that a majority of 4 fruit fly species of genus Bactrocera namely Bactrocera dorsalis, B. zonata, B. correcta and B. tau were identified to be present throughout the season in the region but were most active during a peak season of Jul-Sep. The species B. dorsalis was found to be most prevalent species among all followed by B. zonata and others. The study provides valuable insights into the population dynamics of Bactrocera spp in mango orchards in relation to abiotic factors, which is crucial for the development of effective pest management strategies. The population fluctuation of Bactrocera spp varied with temperature variations, relative humidity and average rainfall in the Saharanpur region of Uttar Pradesh, India. The study conducted showed that the catches of Bactrocera spp started at different times in relation to temperature. The peak average population of the fruit fly was also observed to be significantly affected by minimum temperature changes, with peak average populations recorded at specific times in the season in relation to temperature, relative humidity and average rainfall fluctuations. A total catch of 1348 of the different species of genus Bactrocera was recorded out of which 658, 394, 213 and 83 comprised of B. dorsalis, B. zonata, B. correcta and B. tau respectively. Statistical analysis of the data was carried to see the effect of abiotic factors viz minimum and maximum temperature, morning and evening relative humidity and average rainfall on the seasonal incidence of the different species of genus Bactrocera. From the correlation and regression analysis we see that there is a positive correlation between minimum temperature, relative humidity and average rainfall and the occurrence of Bactrocera spp.
Dil Mahjoora Majeed, Aijaz Majeed, Shafkat Jabbar Mir, Sajjad Ahmad Khan, Mohd Majid Jamali. Effect of temperature, humidity and rainfall on the population of Bactrocera spp in mango orchards of Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. J Entomol Zool Stud 2024;12(1):44-49. DOI: 10.22271/j.ento.2024.v12.i1a.9278