V. N. JALGAONKAR*, K V. MALSHE, K V. NAM, J. N. CHOUDHARI, H. D. PAWARAND S.A. CHAVAN

ea mosquito bug is an important pest of cashew all over the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It was observed that minimum temperature, afternoon humidity and wind speed had a significant negative correlation with tea mosquito bug (TMB) population, but it had a positive correlation with maximum temperature and sunshine hours. The TMB incidence was negligible below 18°C ± 1°C. The maximum incidence was observed in between 18 °C ± 1°C to 21°C ± 1°C. Whereas, regarding afternoon humidity, TMB incidence was found negligible below 53°C ± 1°C and maximum incidence was observed in between 53% ± 1% to 64% ± 1%. The prediction equations were derived through multiple regression analysis for early varieties based on pooled data for all the five years with respect to the pest population and the variety. Thus, this equation can be useful for the cashew growers, extension workers, scientists to take immediate effective control measure against Tea mosquito bug.