Association of Agrometeorologists

Weather based monitoring of male moths in pheromone trap and oviposition of Spodoptera litura on cotton in Gujarat

M. V. GEDIA, H. J. VYAS and M. F. ACHARYA

Field trials were conducted to study the effect of various weather factors on Spodoptera litura male moth catches in pheromone trap and their oviposition on cotton foliage during rainy and post rainy seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05. The male moths were active from July to January and attained five peak levels with three oviposition peak with highest moth catch and oviposition in 44th standard week. Maximum temperature and bright sunshine hour had significant positive while wind speed and rainfall had significant negative association with male moth catches in pheromone trap and oviposition on cotton foliage during both the years. The values of coefficient of determination (R2) indicated that various weather parameters caused significant variation (45.22 and 47.15 per cent) in S. litura male moth catches and oviposition, respectively.

Weather factors, pheromone trap, Spodoptera litura, male moth catches, oviposition, cotton