Population dynamics of okra fruit and shoot borer of okra in relation to climatic conditions of Udaipur region

The field experiment was conducted with a view to study the fluctuation of pest population of Earias vittella (F.) and their relation with prevailing weather conditions at Horticulture Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur during Kharif 2005 and 2006. The results revealed that borer incidence commenced in the 29th standard week. The peak infestation of plants (91.6%) was observed in 45th standard week. The maximum numbers of larvae (7.5 larvae/10 plants) were recorded in the 42nd standard week. The maximum quantum of damaged fruits on number basis was 54.3% and on weight basis was 54.7% when the crop was 18 weeks old in 42nd standard week. Correlation between pest population and important weather parameters showed that Earias population was negatively correlated with the mean temperature and mean relative humidity but non significantly and negatively correlated with rainfall in terms of larval population and percentage of infested plants.