Survey on the pest incidence of pomegranate aphid (Aphis punicae) and natural enemies associated with it was conducted during 2016 at four locations each in district Srinagar and Baramulla. The studies revealed that that the highest mean population of aphids/shoot (33.99) was recorded in Srinagar, whereas, in Baramulla lower population of aphids/shoot (24.10) was recorded in comparison to Srinagar. Data further revealed that among different locations of Srinagar, highest average number of aphids/shoot (40.30) was observed at CITH and minimum (27.54) in Botakadal. Similarly, in district Baramulla highest mean number of aphids/shoot (27.63) was recorded at Sopore, whereas the lowest mean population (21.11/shoot) was observed at Dangerpora. The pest started its activity in I st week of April and reached to its peak in the 2 nd week of May in both the districts. Thereafter, the population of aphids declined gradually. The studies on natural enemies revealed that six coccinellid predators, viz., Coccinella septempunctata, Harmonia eucharis, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Adalia tetraspilota, Hippodamia variegate and Calvia punctata and two syrphids viz, Sphaerophoria bengalensis and Episyrphus balteatus were found associated with pomegranate aphids. Among the natural enemies C. septempunctata was found to be the most dominant in both the districts. Overall, the abundance of natural enemies associated with pomegranate aphids in Baramulla was comparatively lesser than Srinagar.
As Aphis pomi is one of the important and emerging pest especially on apple plants from past few years as its huge incidence has attracted the attention of research workers across the globe especially in apple growing regions. Currently the most important constraint for apple producers is that its management becomes difficult due to resurgence problems and also their high fecundity rate, complex life cycle. So our motive to study biology of Aphis pomi is to find a better management strategy as biological study of insect is one of the key factor for its management. In the present study the biological parameters evaluated were duration and survival% of nymphal instars, daily and total fecundity and adult longevity by various methods under laboratory conditions. Also the data on pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition was recorded. We found that duration of total nymphal period, pre-ovipositional period, ovipositional period, post ovipositional period and total life period varied from 13.5-15.5 (14.52±0.070), 10.3-12.5 (14.52±0.07), 10- 20 (13.4±0.65), 2.0-3.0 (2.4±0.17), and 22-35 (30.28±1.51) days respectively. The morphometric were also studied during the period of nymphal development till adults. The morphometric analysis showed gradual developmental variations from first instar to adult stage in size, shape, colour and number of characters.
Walnut is an important crop that is widely grown for its edible nuts, timber, and other commercial uses. Walnut pests can cause significant damage to the trees and reduce the quality and quantity of the crop. Walnut blister beetles can cause significant damage to walnut trees, especially during the early stages of fruit development. The data generated on incidence and severity revealed that the incidence of E. erinea commenced from 13th standard meteorological week (SMW) with mean incidence of 1.2 blister per leaf observed in this SMW, reached to its peak (22.7 per leaf) during 30th SMW and then decreased and reached to 0.8 blisters per leaf during 43rd SMW. The mean number of blister was found highest (18.64±1.62) in the month of July and lowest (1.25±0.2) in the month of October. Low severity (4.0%) of E. erinea was recorded in April, which reached to its peak (28.5%) in the month of July, thereafter, the severity decreased and reached to 1.5 per cent in the month of October.
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