Population dynamics of new invasive black thrips (Thrips parvispinus KARNZ) infesting chilli under open field conditions

The present experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2024, in open field of farmer in the Kolhapur District (Maharashtra) with the objective to study the population dynamics of new invasive black thrips infesting chilli under open field conditions. The study revealed that population increased from 11 M.W. (2nd week of March). It was observed that peak population of thrips was recorded in the 19th M.W. (2st week of May), reaching 13.85 thrips/leaves at a temperature of 41.60°C and 76.4% relative humidity. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation of 0.478 with maximum temperature, 0.199 with bright sunshine hours, and negative correlations of -0.238 with minimum temperature, -0.497 with morning relative humidity, and -0.135 with evening relative humidity.