Incidence and population dynamics of insect pests infesting pomegranate orchards in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India

In surveys conducted in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India, pomegranate aphid, Aphis punicae Passerini (Homoptera: Aphididae) and pomegranate fruit borer, Deudorix epijarbas Moore (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) were recorded as major pests on pomegranate in the district. The incidence of A. punicae ranged between 0.43 and 7.57 aphids per 25-mm shoot length in different localities surveyed, while fruit infestation by D. epijarbas varied from 0.27 to 19.18%. The aphid incidence started during March with 0.48 and 0.65 aphids per 25-mm shoot length and peaked in May with 6.10 and 6.48 aphids per 25-mm shoot length in conventional and high-density planting pomegranate orchards, respectively. The incidence of pomegranate borer was first noted in May with 0.73 and 1.09% fruit infestation and increased further to reach its peak in July with 14.09 and 14.91% mean fruit infestation in conventional and high-density planting pomegranate orchards, respectively. The aphid and borer infestation showed a significant positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperature under both planting conditions. Coccinellids were the predominant predators in pomegranate orchards in the Kullu district, with populations varying from 0.80 to 3.60 and 0.90-3.90 beetles plant^‑1 under conventional and high-density planting orchards, respectively. Their population peaked in May, coinciding with the aphid infestation peak and showed a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature while a significant negative correlation with minimum relative humidity.