ISSN 2167-0447
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 090-093, January, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A survey of insect pests of pigeonpea and their predators in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India
Marimuthu Ramar1, Siva Kamalakannan2 and Anto Claver1
1Department of Zoology, St. Andrew’s College, Gorakhpur 273 001, India.
2Division of Entomology, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected]
Received 24 January, 2012; Accepted 27 February 2012
Abstract
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an important crop in semi-arid tropical and subtropical farming systems, providing high quality vegetable protein, animal feed, and firewood. Insect pests feeding on flowers, pods, and seeds are the most important biotic constraint affecting pigeonpea yields. Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an important crop in semi-arid tropical and subtropical farming systems, providing high quality vegetable protein, animal feed and firewood. Insect pests feeding on flowers, pods, and seeds are the most important biotic constraint affecting pigeonpea yields. This study summarizes the biology and ecology of the three most important groups of pests: flower- and pod-feeding Lepidoptera, pod-sucking Hemiptera, and seed-feeding Diptera and Hymenoptera. Recent research investigating the complex interactions among pigeonpea, its key pests, and their natural enemies is also studied. These relationships have implications on the pest status of individual species and on possible control strategies.
Key words: pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan, Pest, Natural Enemies