Population dynamics of gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (hubner) on chickpea

In this study relationship between weather parameters of current, first, second and third lag week was individually explored with peak trap catches of Helicoverpa armigera for ten years (2005–06 to 2014–2015) at Rahuri, Maharashtra. Peaks of trap catches exhibited significant negative correlation with relative humidity of current and third lag weeks; and maximum temperature and sunshine hours of third lag week had positive correlation. Weather based forewarning model was developed by regressing peaks of trap catches in relation to weather parameters of current, first, second and third lag weeks. Stepwise regression revealed that temperature and relative humidity are critical. The pest weather model was validated with the three years (2015–16 to 2017–18) independent dataset.