Seasonal variability of chiku moth, Nephopteryx eugraphella (Ragonot) in relation to ecological parameters and crop phenology of sapota

Abstract

The infestation status of chiku moth/leaf webber, Nephopteryx eugraphella (Ragonot) in sapota was studied from April 2015 to March 2018.The chiku moth infestation was observed throughout the year with two phases of crest damage during May-June (7.24-8.86%) at peak flowering stage and during December (8.76-9.42%) at new foliage and fruiting initiation stage. Regarding correlation, chiku moth activity was mainly concerned negatively with preceding and current morning relative humidity during all three years of investigation. The regression equation was found non-significant with all ecological factors except preceding and current morning relative humidity during 2015-16 and 2017-18 as well as bright sunshine hors in 2017-18. Chiku moth peak infestation was associated with crop phenology which coincides with encouraging event of winter and summer seasons and peak flush of foliage and flowering phase under throughout year incidence pattern.