SEASONAL POPULATION TREND OF BRINJAL SHOOT AND FRUIT BORER, LEUCINODES ORBONALIS GUEN (LEPIDOPTERA : PYRALIDAE) IN MANIPUR

The seasonal Population trend of Brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guen on Solanum melongena L. var. Pusa kranti was studied during the two consecutive cropping seasons (2003 & 2004). The population trend of brinjal shoot and fruit borer commenced from 2nd week of April in both the cropping seasons (2003 & 2004) with the initial population of 9.5 and 10.12 % during 2003 and 2004, respectively. It gradually increased and revealed its peak density (21.13 % in 2003 and 30.11% in 2004) in the 3'd week of May (Figs. I & 2). But, the pest incidence on fruit was observed a week later than shoot infestation in the third week of April (11.20% in 2003 and 11.19% in 2004). It increased steadily and achieved a peak (44.16 % in 2003 and 68.12 % in 2004) in the second week of the June. The correlation studies revealed that average relative humidity and temperature showed significant positive influence while sunshine observed significant negative influence on the infestation of Lorbonalis on brinjal.