Population dynamics of major insect pests of fruit crops in a rooftop garden at Gazipur in Bangladesh

Abstract

The population dynamics of the insect pests of fruit crops, namely mealybug, spiraling whitefly, leaf miner and fruit fly were studied in a rooftop garden containing guava, mango, lemon, pumelo and dragon fruits at Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh during April 2022 to March 2023. Number of insects per leaf and leaf infestation data were collected by visual observation. Fruit fly population was counted using pheromone traps. The results showed that mealybug and spiraling whitefly population were present in guava plant where mealybug population was higher than spiraling whitefly population. Mealybug population was also observed on mango plant. Leaf miner infestation was observed in lemon and pumelo plant. Percent leaf infestation was higher in pumelo plant compare to lemon plant. Mealybug population, spiraling whitefly population and leaf miner infestation were low at December-February, increased at March-April, slightly reduced at May-July and again increased at August-November. Fruit fly population found the highest at July and lowest at January. Most of the cases, weather parameter showed significant role on population abundance and infestation occurrences of insect pest at fruit crop-based rooftop garden.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 49(3): 239-248, September 2024