Effect of weather factors on the population of Chaetocnema spp.,Monolepta signata Oliver and Aulacophora foveicollis (Lucas) on paddy under rainfed lowland conditions in Mizoram, India

The present study was undertaken during kharif 2013 and 2014 to know the relationship between weather parameters and chrysomelids (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)viz., Chaetocnema spp., Monolepta signata Oliverand Aulacophora foveicollis (Lucas)in rice agro-ecosystem in Mizoram, India.Chaetocnema spp., and M. signata were found to first invade the crop during last week of August, whereas A. foveicollis was recorded during third week of September. The highest populations of Chaetocnema spp. and M. signata were during September. However, the highest population of A. foveicollis was during October. Morning relative humidity (RH) had significant correlation with populations of Chaetocnema spp., M. signata and A. foveicollis. When there was abrupt fall in minimum temperature and coupled with increase in morning RH, rainfall and rainy days a build-up in Chaetocnema spp. population was recorded during the pooled year. These studies clearly indicate that weather factors play an important role in Chaetocnema spp., M. signata and A. foveicollis incidence.