Influence of weather factors on population dynamics of armyworm,spodoptera litura f. on cauliflower,brassica oleracea in Punjab

Five major cauliflower producing localities viz.,faisalabad,chiniot,sargodha,sheikhupura and gujranwala of punjab,were selected to check the population fluctuation of s. litura larvae through regular ten days interval on cauliflower crop during 2013-14. the data were recorded at fixed schedule of period i (22 to 31 august),period ii (01 to 10 september),period iii (11 to 20 september),period iv (21to 30 september) and period v (01to 10 october). during 2013 maximum larval population was recorded in sargodha during 4th period of observation and minimum population was observed in gujranwala during 1st period of observation i.e. 4.55±0.117 and 1.96±0.105 larvae/plant respectively. while during 2014 minimum population was recorded in gujranwala (1.05±0.024 larvae/plant) during the 2nd period of observation and maximum population was observed in sargodha during 1st period of observation i.e. 4.37±0.086 larvae/plant,respectively. relative humidity and rainfall was negatively correlated with the larval population while,temperature was significant and positive correlated with larval population. © copyright 2016 zoological society of pakistan.