Fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) and other insects on maize in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The present study surveyed the insects on maize at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur situated under mid hill conditions. Results revealed the occurrence of the fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) for the first time from Himachal Pradesh. The flea beetles (Disonycha xanthomelas, Monolepta signata), grasshopper, aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis), snails, chaffer beetle (Popillia spp.), nitidulid beetles, stem borer (Chilo partellus) were also observed. Of these, R. maidis and C. partellus were found to be the major ones. Natural enemies like coccinellids, syrphids and lacewings were also observed. The population dynamics with weather parameters worked out with these revealed significant relationships only in few instances.