Population Dynamics of Aphids, Thrips and Leaf Miner of China Aster, Callistephus chinenesis (L.) Nees

AbstractChina aster, Callistephus chinenesis (L.) Nees is an important ornamental crop in India often affected by insect pests. A field study was conducted during Rabi 2024-25 in Pune region recorded the seasonal incidence of aphids, thrips and leaf miners from 49th to 10th SMW. Aphids population observed from the 50th SMW (9.48/10 cm shoot/plant), peaking at the 5th SMW (34.89/10 cm shoot/plant), then declined (19.86/10 cm shoot/plant) at the 10th SMW. Thrips incidence was observed at the 3rd SMW (4.40/3 flowers/plant), with a maximum at the 7th SMW(18.20/3 flowers/plant). Leaf miners infestation started from 49th SMW (19.43 %), peaked at 53.36 per cent infestation at 4th SMW. Correlation analysis revealed that, aphids with temperature (r=0.575*) and bright sunshine hours (0.534*), thrips with temperature (0.857* *) and leaf miners with morning relative humidity (0.742**) were positively correlated.