Status of major insect pests of guava in Dharwad and Gadag districts of Karnataka

Abstract

To study the insect abundance, a roving survey was carried out during July- December 2023 in major guava growing areas of Dharwad and Gadag districts of Karnataka at monthly interval. During the roving survey conducted in two districts, the major pest species which includes tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii; mealy bug, Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell); spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus (Russel); and fruit fly, Bactocera correcta were majorly documented. Also identified some of the natural enemies that play a vital role in mitigating the population of these pests. The result of the experiment showed that highest infestation of all the insect pests (sucking pests and fruit fly) were recorded in Gadag district compared to Dharwad district except for tea mosquito bug showing maximum incidence in Dharwad district.