Status of Rugose spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin) in Konkan region of Maharashtra

Abstract

Systematic surveys of three different coconut gardens were carried out during 2018 to 2021to study the status of rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. The data indicated that the incidence and intensity of RSW had increased during the rainy season which recorded 31.9 and 18.1 per cent, respectively in October. It has gradually declined after January. Rugose spiralling whitefly populations (34.1 nos.) were maximum in the month of April. Encarsia parasitism was observed maximum during February (40%) as it has increased from October (6.8 %) onwards. The spiders (3.7 nos.) and predators (5.0 nos.) were found maximum in April, 2020. The maximum temperature had positive impact on the incidence and intensity of RSW. However intensity of RSW was negatively correlated with rainfall and evening humidity. Encarsia parasitism of RSW was negatively correlated with the minimum temperature.