Population dynamics of Plutella xylostella (L.) in cauliflower and its correlation with weather parameters at Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Studies were carried out from June to November, during 2012 and 2013 at Peshawar, Pakistan to determine the population dynamics of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis and its correlation with weather parameters. The highest mean population of larvae and pupae (4.75±2.14 and 6.7±1.71) per plant was recorded in September whereas the lowest (0.2±0.41 and 0.4±0.71) was recorded in July, 2012 and 2013 respectively. A negatively nonsignificant correlation (r = -0.31 and -0.18) was recorded with maximum temperatures, whereas with minimum temperature, the association (r = 0.02 and 0.06) was positively non-significant. Percent Relative Humidity showed a positively significant (p