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September 18, 2025Open Access

Identifying key meteorological factors influencing density-dependent dynamics of major sucking pests and natural enemies in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fields in India

RKRishi KumarForest Research Institute DPDebashis PaulIndian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute SSSatpal SinghCentral Institute for Cotton Research

Key Points

Natural enemies' populations increased following a rise in major sucking pest populations, indicating a time lag effect.
Correlation analysis over a decade revealed major sucking pests positively correlated with minimum temperature and humidity.
Principal component analysis linked natural enemies more closely to morning relative humidity than to major sucking pests.
Study findings emphasize the influence of climate variables on the interaction between pests and their natural enemies.

Abstract

The density-dependant relationship between the pest and their natural enemies is well documented but the regulation process is influenced by other associated meteorological factors as well. Here meteorological factors influencing the interaction of major sucking pests and natural enemies in cotton fields was studied to evaluate the effect of the natural enemies (NEs) and meteorological factors on the major sucking pests (MSP) populations. A study conducted for 10 years to monitor the dynamics of the major sucking pests (Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci; Thrips, Thrips tabaci; and Leaf hopper, Amrasca devastans) and the natural enemies (Ladybirds Beetle: Coccinella sp, Lacewings: Chrysoperla sp. and Spiders: Neoscona theisi as dominant species) particularly the generalist predators on different cotton cultivars showed an interesting relationship notably, As the MSP population increased; there was a corresponding increase in the NE population after a time lag indicating additive impact of climate variables. The increasing trend in the population of NE was recorded 2–3 weeks after the peak attained by MSP during the majority of the years. The overall correlation analysis was based on 10 years of observations; it was noted that the major sucking pest population was positively correlated with minimum temperature, morning relative humidity and evening relative humidity whereas the natural enemies' population showed a significant negative correlation with maximum and minimum temperature. Principal component analysis depicted a close association of natural enemies with morning relative humidity whereas major sucking pest population was closely associated with minimum temperature and evening relative humidity. This study unveiled that the dynamic interaction between the MSP population and the NE population might be influenced by climate factors and also by the interrelationship among major sucking pests and natural enemies.

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