Survey of Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) Infestation in Major Pigeon pea Growing Districts of Karnataka, India

A roving survey was conducted at major pigeonpea growing districts of Karnataka viz., Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Kalaburgi and Bidar during Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023. Among the four districts, Bidar consistently recorded the highest pod fly population and per cent damage. In 2022, Bhalki taluk of Bidar district exhibited the highest maggot population (5.12) and pupal count (14.29) per 100 pods, as well as the highest per cent pod damage (20.41) and seed damage (9.62), alongside Bidar taluk. Indi taluk of Vijayapura district recorded the lowest maggot (2.92) and pupal populations (8.96) per 100 pods, with the lowest per cent pod (13.04) and seed (6.31) damage. During 2023, Bhalki taluk again showed the highest maggot (5.37) and pupal populations (15.04) per 100 pods, with the highest per cent pod damage (21.58) and seed damage (10.98). Conversely, Indi taluk recorded the lowest maggot (3.13) and pupal populations (9.88) per 100 pods, with the lowest per cent pod (14.12) and seed (7.49) damage. These findings highlight significant spatial and temporal variations in pod fly infestation and damage within the surveyed districts.