SEASONAL INCIDENCE OF MAJOR INSECT PESTS OF APPLE IN MID HILLS OF MEGHALAYA.

Seasonal incidence of major insect pests of apple in mid hills of Meghalaya was evaluated during 2018 at the Experimental farm of CPGSAS, Umiam, Meghalaya. A total of 43 insect species were observed. The major ones include- green apple aphid Aphis pomi De Geer, pale tussock moth Calliteara pudibunda L., tussock moth Euproctis guttata Collenette, giant looper Ascotis selenaria Denis and Schiffermuller and cocoa tussock moth Orgyia postica Walker. Also, 21 species were observed as minor pests, ten species as natural enemies, two species as pollinators and five species as occasional visitors. Results revealed that the aphid incidence is at its peak (34.75 aphids/ 10cm apical length of twig/shoot/ plant) on the 25^th SMW (standard meteorological week) (3^rd week of June 2018). Such a peak of pale tussock moth larval incidence (3.82 larva/ plant) was during 28^th SMW (2^nd week of July). Likewise, the tussock moth larval incidence (4.15 larvae/ plant) was its peak on the 35^th SMW (last week of August). The giant looper was at its peak (3.46 larvae/ plant) in the 28^th SMW (2^nd week of July). The cocoa tussock moth incidence was at the maximum of 4.75 larvae/ plant on the 26^th SMW (27^th June). Correlation coefficients (r) indicated significant correlation between the incidence of green apple aphid with maximum temperature; and larval incidence of tussock moth and cocoa tussock moth exhibiting a significant correlation with minimum temperature. Regression analysis done herein will provide the impact of independent variables on the dependent variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]