Impact of Key Insect Pests on Cowpea and their Relationship with Weather Parameters

Introduction: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is a vital pulse crop with substantial nutritional value in India that faces production challenges due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors that affects cowpea, pests such as Maruca vitrata and Riptortus pedestris significantly impact cowpea yields. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal incidence of these pests and analyze their correlations with weather parameters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Methodology: Field observations were conducted over the cropping season to record pest populations across Standard Meteorological Weeks (SMWs). The population of the pod bugs and pod borers were taken from five plants. Statistical analyses were performed to identify correlations between pest incidence and key weather factors. Key Findings: The incidence of R. pedestris peaked in the 16th SMW, reaching 7.54 bugs per five plants. This pest displayed a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.637) and minimum temperature (r = 0.559) and a negative correlation with evening relative humidity (r =-0.480). Similarly, M. vitrata larval populations peaked during the same period at 2.65 larvae per five plants, showing a similar temperature-dependent correlation. Implications: The temperature-sensitive incidence patterns observed underscore the need for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that address climatic factors to enhance cowpea sustainability. This data provides valuable insights for future pest forecasting and management efforts.