Relationship of some insect pests of roselle with weather parameters in Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

The population dynamics of three insect species namely: Monolepta thomsoni, Nisotra sjostedti, and Dysdercus volkeri along with their correlation with weather factors were studied during the 2016 cropping seasoning Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Insect count was done within a 1m by 1m area for 21 weeks. M. thomsoni and N. sjostedti populations peaked at 9 WAP, while D. volkeri peaked at 21 at pod maturity. M. thomsoni and N. sjostedti strongly linked with early crop relative humidity. M. thomsoni associated favourably with rainfall and relative humidity in the late harvest, but not maximum temperature. D. volkeri was positively correlated with sun radiation, maximum temperature, and relative humidity in early-sown crops. Positive and significant association between D. volkeri and maximum temperature in late crop. N. sjostedti did not link with late-sown crop weather. This study's result can be used to forecast insect pest damage, which can aid with pest management.