Vol. 10, Special Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Gaurang Chhangani, MK Mahla, R Swaminathan, Kavita Kumawat, RS Choudhary and Vikram

Abstract:
The intensive surveys were conducted to record the diversity of major natural enemies population associated with the insect pests of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] during the summer and monsoon season of 2019 and 2020. Diversity of natural enemies were recorded from the 5 different locations in five districts viz., Udaipur, Bhilwara, Banswara, Chittorgarh and Pratapgarh. The recorded natural enemies comprises of 07families (Carabidae, Chrysopidae, Coccinellidae, Geocoridae, Pentatomidae, Reduviidaeand Syrphidae) belonging to 4 insect orders (Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera and Diptera). At all the locations, coccinellids was observed to be the maximum among all the natural enemies (30-40 per cent) followed by the population of predatory bugs including Geocorid, Pentatomid and Reduviid bugs, syrphid flies and spiders with the minimum relative density during both year. The mean population of natural enemies was recorded to be maximum for Udaipur (1.78, 2.31) followed by Banswara (1.78, 2.02), Bhilwara (1.54, 1.97), Chittorgarh (1.39, 1.5) and Pratapgarh (1.46, 1.7) during summer and monsoon seasons of 2019, respectively. The mean population of natural ememies was observed to be maximum at Udaipur district followed by Banswara in summer, while, Banswara had more population in monsoon season during 2020.