Monitoring of seasonal flight activity of Trioza fletcheri Minor through yellow sticky traps at different spacing in Terminalia arjuna. (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. Plantation

Non-chemical management of Trioza fletcheri infesting Terminelia arjuna is one of the major challenges in Tasar culture considering the safety of Tasar silkworm Anthereae mylitta. In this study we have monitored the seasonal flight activity of T. fletcheri in Terminelia arjuna plantation at different spacing with the view of the fact that yellow sticky traps can be used for mass trapping of gall fly adults during their peak flight period. Results shown that yellow sticky traps found effective in trapping of the gall fly adults and it has been confirmed based on visual observations on the number of gall fly adults trapped across the different treatments and replications. During the study it has been observed that maximum gall fly activity was recorded between 28 to 32 metrological standard weeks. During the study influence of plant spacing on gall fly incidence was also assessed by comparing the activity of gall fly on different plant spacing and it has found that between the different plant spacing’s 4′ x 4′ (Pollarded) plantations recorded highest gall fly incidence (76.28 gall flies/week/trap) which was followed by 4′ x 4′ (Pruned) with 62.42 gall flies/week/trap. Whereas comparatively lower gall fly activity was recorded in the 6 ′ x 6 ′ plant spacing (5.368 gall flies/week/trap) and 10′ x 10′ spacing (55.92 gall flies/week/trap). With respect to influence of pruning and pollarding on gall fly incidence it has been found that gall fly activity was more in the plantation where pollarding has been done as compared to the pruned plantation.