Studies on population dynamics of pod borers in fodder cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

MEGHA .; N. S. KULKARN; R. CHANNAKESHAVA; K. SRIDHAR

doi:10.61475/JFS.2025.v38i4.20

MEGHA . Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005 India
N. S. KULKARN Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005 India
R. CHANNAKESHAVA Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005 India
K. SRIDHAR Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Dharwad University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005 India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61475/JFS.2025.v38i4.20

Keywords: Cowpea, Cydia ptychora, Pod borer complex, Pod damage, Population dynamics, Maruca vitrata,

Abstract

The present study investigated the population dynamics of the pod borer complex, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) and Cydia ptychora (Meyrick), along with their natural enemies in fodder cowpea during kharif 2024 at ICAR-IGFRI,SRRS, Dharwad. Cowpea variety BL-4 was grown in a 200 m² plot without plant protection measures and weekly observations were recorded from pod initiation to crop maturity. M. vitrata infestation began in mid-September, with larvalpopulations peaking in late October–early November (5.38 larvae/plant; 30.05% pod damage). C. ptychora appearedslightly later but reached higher levels, peaking at 9.23 larvae/ plant and 39.60% pod damage, indicating its greater destructivepotential. Natural enemies, mainly coccinellids and spiders, contributed significantly to pest suppression. Coccinellidsexhibited density-dependent fluctuations, peaking along side initial pod borer outbreaks, while spiders maintained consistentactivity throughout, peaking in early November. Correlation analysis revealed that maximum temperature positivelyinfluenced M. vitrata, while minimum temperature and relative humidity showed significant negative correlations with bothpod borers and pod damage. Spiders showed strong positive associations with pest populations, highlighting their ecologicalrole. The study emphasizes the importance of pest monitoring, conservation of natural enemies and climatic considerationsin developing eco-friendly management strategies for sustainable cowpea fodder production.