Seasonal Incidence and Relationship between Lunar Phases and the Emergence of C. maculipennis

Abstract

The blossom midge Contarinia maculipennis, a serious pest in orchids which infests blooms and mainly hampered the cut flower production. The blossom midge Contarinia maculipennis, a serious pest in orchids which infests blooms and mainly hampered the cut flower production. Studies on seasonal incidence showed that C. maculipennis incidence was maximum during first fortnight of April 2018 (46.74 %) had positive correlation with maximum temperature and sunlight intensity under different shade net conditions and negative correlation with rainfall. Adult emergence in relation to lunar phases revealed that peak emergence was noticed during full moon (216.66 adults) and a day after (142.38 adults) which had positive correlation with per cent illumination