P.C. YADAV, U.S. SHARMA, O.P. AMETA AND N.K. PADIWAL

Seasonal Incidence of major sucking insect pests of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)” was studied during July to December 2010, at Reasearch farm, College of Technology and Engineering, Udaipur. Groundnut crop was infested by Aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch), Jassid (Empoasca kerri Pruthi), Thrips (Scirtotharips dorsalis Hood). The study revealed that the incidence of jassid and thrips started in 2nd week of August; while, the aphid appeared in 3rd week of August. The population of aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) touched the peak in the last week of September with a mean population of 15.05 aphids/ 3 leaves; whereas, Jassid, Empoasca kerri (Pruthi) increased slowly and attained the peak in the second week of September with a mean population of 13.56 jassids/ 3 leaves. The population of thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) reached the peak in the fourth week of September with a mean of 4.16 thrips/ 3 leaves. The population of aphid exhibited a non significant negative correlation between mean population of aphids and relative humidity whereas average temperature was found to be non significant and negatively correlated. The population of jassid showed a non significant and positive correlation with relative humidity and rainfall, whereas temperature was found non significant and negative. The Thrips population shows that a. non significant positively correlation with relative humidity and rainfall, while a non significant and negative correlation with temperature.