Occurrence and abundance of thrips, whitefly and their natural enemy, Geocoris Spp. on cotton crop at various localities of Sindh, Pakistan

Present studies were carried out on occurrence and abundance of insect pests, thrips, Thrips tabaci, whitefly, Bemesia tabaci and their predator, Geocoris spp., on cotton, Gossypum arborium L. Results revealed that thrips, whitefly and their natural enemy populations varied with different dates and plant’s phenology. At Tando Allahyar, thrips and whitefly population was very low (3.00+0.15, 1.00+0.35 per leaf) in 2nd week of April, but peaked during last week of July (75.6+0.78, 24.45+55), respectively. Predator, Geocoris remained minimum (1.00+0.14) in 3rd week of April and maximum (12.00+0.85) in last week of July. Likewise at Crop Protection Field, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, thrips and whitefly population was minimum in 1st week of May (15.55+0.52, 5.56+0.42) and reached at peak (191.6±0.85, 91.6±0.85), respectively on last week of August. Predator, Geocoris population was minimum (4.00+0.60) in 1st week of May and maximum (25.6±0.59) during 3rd week of August. Temperature and humidity varied during different dates and time to play imperative role in increasing thrips, whiteflies and their predators.