EFFECT OF ABIOTIC FACTORS ON THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF TWO SPOTTED SPIDER MITE, TETRANYCHUS URTICAE KOCH AND ITS PREDATORY MITE, NEOSEIULUS LONGISPINOSUS (EVANS) IN BRINJALECOSYSTEM

摘要

The present study was conducted to assess the population dynamics of two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus irte Koch and its predator, Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans) in brinjal ecosystem from October 2014 to April 2015 under unprotected condition. T,urticae population was less severe during October to December and the mite population varied from 101 to 12.32 per 2 cm2 area of leaf. There was gradual increase in mite population from January to April and peak activity was recorded in March. Peak incidence of T. urtice and N. longispinosus was observed during third week of March (11 ""standard week) and third week of February (8"* standard Week), respectively. Among the weather factors studied, maximum temperature and minimum temperature had positiverelationship; with the incidence of T. urticae and A', longispinosus. Meanwhile, other weather factors viz., morning relative humidity, evening relative humidity and rainfall had negative correlation. This study could be helpful not only in forecastingoutbreak of T.urticae but also in formulating effective pest management strategies.