Status of bondar nesting whitefly (Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi) on coconut in Konkan region of Maharashtra

Abstract

Roving surveys for coconut Bondar nesting whitefly (BNW), Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi were carried out in at monthly interval in Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra during 2022 to 2024 and incidence and intensity of BNW was worked out. The observations revealed that April month had the maximum incidence (19.8%), intensity (18.6%) and live colonies (32.1) of bondar nesting whitefly whereas minimum incidence (5.4%), intensity (2.6%) and live colonies (8.43) were observed during July. It was inferred that the infestation of BNW increased after rainy season and attend peak during November-October and April-May during high temperature. The maximum temperature was positively significant correlated with incidence, intensity and no. of live colonies/leaflet of BNW. However, rainfall and relative humidity (morning and afternoon) was negatively significant correlated with incidence, intensity and no. of live colonies/leaflet of BNW. The minimum temperature was negative correlated with incidence, intensity and no. of live colonies/leaflet of BNW.