Seasonal incidence of insects on Solanum lycopersicum and their correlation with weather parameters
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jefa.2025.20.2.23Keywords:
Incidence, insects, tomato, correlation, weather parametersAbstract
A field investigation was conducted to study the seasonal incidence of insect pests on tomato crops and their correlation with weather parameters. Eight insect species, including aphids, mealybugs, green plant hoppers, fruit flies, whiteflies, tomato fruit borer, leaf miner, and the parasitoid Cotesia glomerata, were recorded. Aphids, mealybugs, and hoppers peaked in early March, while fruit flies and whiteflies were most prevalent mid-March. The fruit borer and leaf miners reached peak populations in April, and C. glomerata was most active in the second week of March. Most insect populations showed a significant positive correlation with relative humidity, while correlations with temperature and sunshine were generally non-significant or negative. Leaf miners showed significant negative correlations with temperature and sunshine. The study highlights the strong influence of abiotic factors, especially humidity, on pest dynamics. Climate-resilient Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biological control using C. glomerata are recommended for sustainable pest control
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