Study of fruit-borer Deudorix (Virachola) isocrates on pomegranate (Punica granatum) and its fluctuation through abiotic stress

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to study the relation between the occurrence of mature and immature stages of Deudorix isocrates (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), pomegranate (Punica granatum) plant phenology, and changes in population due to abiotic stress at College of Horticulture & Forestry, Jhalawar during 2022-23. The population dynamics of Deudorix isocrates larvae on fruits was monitored during the kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023, under different climatic factors, such as mean temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), and rainfall (mm). The data showed that pomegranate fruit was most preferential host plant for fruits borer, serving as the prime host plant when other potential host plants were not available during certain developmental stages of the pest. The pest population reached to peak during 36^th standard meteorological week (SMW) during both years. Statistical analysis indicates a positive, but non-significant, correlation with temp (x₁ = 0.32) and negative, non-significant correlations with relative humidity (x₂ = -0.47) and rainfall (x₃= -0.35) during 2022. In contrast, during 2023, pest exhibited a negative, non-significant correlation with temperature (x₁ = -0.23), and positive, non-significant correlations with both relative humidity (x₂= 0.31) and rainfall (x₃= 0.36)