Seasonal Incidence of Major Insect Pests of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) in Relation to Weather Parameters
Suraj Singh *
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
Ram Subhag Singh
Department of Entomology, BNPG College, Rath, Hamirpur-210431, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Mukesh Shrivastava
Department of Plant Pathology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
C. L. Maurya
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
Rajiv
Department of Vegetable Science, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur-208002, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Harish Chandra Singh
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
Rajendra Prasad
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
Ram Ajeet Chaudhary
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
Mohit Tiwari
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
Lakshmi Pandey
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at the Students’ Instructional Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, during the rabi seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26 to investigate the seasonal occurrence of major insect pests on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.). Weekly observations were recorded from the 46th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) to the 15th SMW of the following year. During 2024–25, fruit borer first appeared in the 52nd SMW, whitefly in the 47th, and leaf miner and aphid in the 46th SMW. Their peak populations were 3.40 larvae plant⁻¹, 11.80 adults three leaves⁻¹, 11.87 damaged leaves plant⁻¹, and 11.47 adults plant⁻¹, respectively, during the 11th SMW. In 2025–26, fruit borer appeared in the 52nd SMW, whitefly in the 48th, and leaf miner and aphid in the 46th SMW. Their respective peak populations were 3.90 larvae plant⁻¹, 7.87 adults three leaves⁻¹, 11.27 damaged leaves plant⁻¹, and 11.09 adults plant⁻¹. Fruit borer and whitefly peaked in the 10th SMW, whereas leaf miner and aphid peaked in the 9th SMW. Pest populations generally increased and declined after reaching their peaks. Correlation analysis revealed that maximum temperature was positively associated with all four pests in both years. Minimum temperature also showed positive correlations with most pests, particularly during 2025–26. Morning and evening relative humidity generally exhibited negative correlations, whereas sunshine hours showed positive correlations with all four pests. Rainfall exhibited variable relationships, mostly negative, although whitefly showed a positive correlation.
Keywords: Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, fruit borer, whitefly, leaf miner, aphid, seasonal incidence, Standard Meteorological Week