Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2017; 6(5): 2348-2354

E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 Population dynamics of Blackheaded fireworm, JPP 2017; 6(5): 2348-2354 Received: 27-07-2017 (Hubner) (: Accepted: 28-08-2017 ) in temperate region of Jammu & Kashmir, Mushtaq A Division of Entomology, Sher-e- India Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Mushtaq A Ganai and Zakir H Khan Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India Abstract Zakir H Khan Population dynamics and extent of damage of Rhopobota naevana (Hubner) was studied at Shalimar, Division of Entomology, Sher-e- Chitherhama and Dhara in managed and unmanaged apple orchards during 2010-2012. The results Kashmir University of revealed that adult trap catch initiated (4.33 per trap/ night) in first week of June, reached its peak Agricultural Sciences & value (35 moths per trap/night) during 2nd, 3rd week of August and finished its flight in last week of Technology of Kashmir, September. Monitoring of larval population indicated that larval infestation began in 2nd week of May Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and reached its peak value in 3rd week of July and reached to zero in 1st week of September. Study of per cent Kashmir, India damage done during cropping season indicated that twig damage started in 2nd (2.75%) and 3rd (2.56%) week of May in unmanaged and managed orchards, respectively, reached its highest value (75% and

20%) in unmanaged and managed orchard, respectively during 3rd week of July and afterwards went on

decreasing.

Keywords: Kashmir, leaf roller, apple orchard, population dynamics, correlation

1. Introduction Tortricidae, commonly known as leaf rollers or leaf twisters, are the largest family of [2] microlepidoptera with more than 10000 species (Brown, 2005) . The family includes some of the most economically important pests of agriculture, forest trees, and ornamental plants (Razowski, 2002; Timm, 2005) [4, 7]. The family is worldwide in distribution but reaches its greatest species-richness in temperate and tropical regions (Scoble, 1992) [5]. The common name, leaf rollers, originates from the larval behaviour of spinning and/or rolling leaves of the [7] host plant upon which they feed and develop (Timm, 2005) . In temperate region of Jammu and Kashmir, only two species of tortricid moths have been reported are yet known to damage apple crop. These are codling , C. pomonella (Linnaeus), which occurs as severe problem in Ladakh region (Wadhi and Sethi, 1975) [8] and Archips moth, A. pomivora Meyrick which appears sporadically in Kashmir valley (Bhagat et al., 1994) [1] while as third one namely

Blackheaded fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Hubner) is emerging as serious problem in apple orchards particularly on young plants. The larvae of this moth damage the terminals of current season twigs by skeletonising the leaves often so severely that areas of the apple orchards turn brown and appear burned top of trees. The larvae wriggle vigorously when disturbed and use silk to construct protected feeding sites by webbing together terminal leaves.

This tortricid pest occurs in all apple-growing areas of the state and causes damage in apple orchards particularly on young plants every year. The pest has three generations per year, moths are very dispersive, females are quite fecund, and larvae damage the terminals of current season twigs. Left alone, small infestations can reach epidemic levels within two to three years. Blackheaded fireworm overwinter in the egg stage, but hatch is difficult to predict,

especially in the Kashmir valley where the winter is mild and spring temperatures are extremely variable. Eggs are laid singly on the underside of the leaves and remain yellow until April, when they slowly turn orange as temperatures increase. The characteristic black head capsule can be recognized within the egg a day or two before hatch, which extends throughout Correspondence late April and May, depending on weather. Seasonal population development can be Mushtaq A Division of Entomology, Sher-e- monitored using sweep nets to sample larvae and pheromone traps to capture male moths. It Kashmir University of has long been recognized that climate and weather can have a considerable effect on Agricultural Sciences & populations. Climatological factors influence animal abundance, distribution and phenology. Technology of Kashmir, They are sometimes held responsible for outbreaks as well as for the control of insect Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and numbers. Kashmir, India ~ 2348 ~

Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Of the many influences to which the Tortricid moth fauna is from meteorological section, Division of Agronomy, currently exposed, climatic change is certainly the most SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar. Correlation analysis was done pervasive. Even the few pockets of landscape that have between adult population and weather factors and larval remained more or less free from human disturbance cannot population and weather factors. Finally the data for studying escape from this phenomenon. Study of Blackheaded population dynamics and extent of damage was subjected to fireworm population fecundity is important for the successful correlation analysis with the help of statistical software (R- evaluation of its population dynamics. This information also Software). becomes part of the basis for ecologically-based pest management models. Population models and decision-making Results criteria based on expected trends in population growth have Studies on the population dynamics of Rhopobota naevana often relied on estimates of fecundity derived from allometric from 2010 to 2012 indicated that the week for the beginning relationships between insect size and reproductive output. So of flight period was 22nd standard week whereas the mean the study was undertaken to investigate the population week for its end was 39th standard week on the basis of three dynamics of Black headed fireworm, Rhopobota naevana years flight trend (Table 1). Results further showed there were (Hubner) in temperate region of Jammu & Kashmir and its three mean peak flight periods viz. 25th standard week (26 correlation with different weather factors. moths/Trap/night) for first generation, 33rd standard week (35.66 moths/Trap/night) for second generation and 38th Materials and Methods standard week (30.66 moths/Trap/night) for third generation For studying population dynamics of Blackheaded fireworm, which were corresponding to the period when mean Rhopobota naevana, (Hubner) bucket type light trap was maximum temperature ranged from 26-31oC, minimum installed in the apple orchard at Shalimar during the cropping temperature from 11-18oC, morning relative humidity from season (March to November) from 2010 to 1012 and 77-87%, evening relative humidity 48-57%, sunshine from observations were taken at weekly intervals by keeping the 7.02-9.6 hours and rainfall from 0.47-1.19 mm which seems traps on between 7 pm to 6 am. The adults collected were to be favourable for its emergence (Fig. 1). During entire sorted and their population was recorded. For monitoring the period 905 specimens were captured in which the percentage larval population of Blackheaded fireworm, Rhopobota of first generation trap catch was 30.82% (279), the second naevana, (Hubner) managed and unmanaged apple orchards generation was 44.08 (399) and that of third generation was were selected at Shalimar, Chitherhama and Dhara. The larval 25.08% (227). population was also monitored by taking five terminal twigs The correlation study (Table-2) of adult population with from five randomly selected trees replicated thrice in weather factors during 2010-2012 made it clear that managed and unmanaged apple orchards at Shalimar, maximum temperature, minimum temperature and sunshine Chitherhama and Dhara at weekly interval throughout the had significant positive impact on the population build-up, season i.e. April to October during 2010-2012 and examined while as other weather parameters i.e. rainfall, relative for number of larvae. The population of adults and larvae was humidity morning and relative humidity evening were non- correlated with weather factors. The data regarding weather significantly correlated with moth population at 1 and 5% parameters namely minimum and maximum temperature, level of significance. relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine hours was obtained

Table 1: Monitoring of Blackheaded fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Hubner) adult population through light trap in relation to weather factors during 2010-2012.

o o Month St. Wk. Tmax C Tmin C RF (mm) RHm (%) RHe (%) SS (hrs) Mn. Spn. /T/N 9th 11.59 2.00 3.42 89.14 54.52 3.43 0.00 10th 15.82 1.53 1.21 83.71 41.37 5.93 0.00 March 11th 19.33 3.62 1.83 79.42 37.61 5.50 0.00 12th 21.19 5.83 0.00 74.75 33.90 6.30 0.00 13th 16.76 5.37 2.98 87.66 58.18 3.62 0.00 14th 19.23 5.01 2.38 81.28 48.47 5.92 0.00 April 15th 18.90 7.35 5.49 83.42 59.94 4.26 0.00 16th 19.71 6.10 4.00 84.04 54.33 6.03 0.00 17th 21.79 8.15 2.46 81.56 53.61 5.36 0.00 18th 22.59 8.69 2.33 80.85 54.38 6.48 0.00 19th 23.02 9.11 2.63 81.09 55.90 5.96 0.00 May 20th 24.73 10.18 1.90 76.99 51.61 7.86 0.00 21st 24.30 10.35 4.27 78.70 48.71 5.77 0.00 22nd 26.75 10.01 0.92 74.80 49.18 8.71 4.33 23rd 25.90 10.92 2.61 77.90 48.52 7.12 10.66 June 24th 27.99 12.56 0.55 77.80 52.18 8.32 15.33 25th 30.66 14.75 0.47 77.80 48.71 9.61 26.00 26th 28.59 14.61 0.51 75.66 57.42 8.15 25.00 27th 30.29 16.04 0.58 75.40 49.48 8.41 10.66 July 28th 29.67 16.11 1.37 79.42 55.80 7.51 1.00 29th 29.60 16.94 2.60 80.28 54.99 7.05 0.00 30th 30.42 18.21 1.28 84.37 53.28 6.95 18.66 31st 29.83 18.39 4.83 81.95 58.18 4.99 24.33 August 32nd 29.07 17.49 1.61 83.37 59.80 5.69 35.66 33rd 30.21 17.35 1.19 83.37 54.09 7.02 35.66

~ 2349 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

34th 29.52 17.41 3.72 83.28 52.85 5.74 18.66 35th 30.26 16.08 0.26 82.70 53.04 7.42 0.00 36th 27.80 16.53 3.53 85.22 61.03 5.61 9.33 September 37th 25.79 13.91 2.87 90.01 63.21 6.57 25.66 38th 25.80 10.20 0.71 87.85 56.13 7.24 30.66 39th 27.35 8.04 0.00 88.66 50.66 8.54 10.00 40th 25.42 7.47 0.11 89.99 55.09 7.11 0.00 41st 24.75 5.64 0.00 88.66 54.85 7.58 0.00 October 42nd 19.61 5.18 2.66 89.75 67.47 5.17 0.00 43rd 19.04 2.24 0.16 88.75 61.23 6.52 0.00 44th 19.49 3.37 0.68 87.57 55.37 6.01 0.00 45th 17.56 1.30 0.47 86.09 58.33 5.48 0.00 November 46th 16.73 0.31 0.00 84.90 47.71 5.15 0.00 47th 15.13 0.63 0.04 84.13 54.37 3.24 0.00 Total moth captured = 905, Male = 547 (60.44%), Female = 358 (39.55%).

Tmax = Maximum temperature, Tmin =Minimum temperature, humidity at evening, SS = Sun shine, RF = Rain fall, Mn. RHm = Relative humidity at morning, RHe = Relative Spn. /T/N = Mean specimens/ Trap/ Night.

Fig 1: Mean adult moth trap catch of Rhopobota naevana during 2010-2012

Table-2: Correlation matrix showing relationship between Rhopobota naevana (Hubner) adult population and weather factors at Shalimar during 2010-2012.

Weather factors Moth population o o Tmax C Tmin C RF (mm) RHm (%) RHe (%) SS (hrs) 2010 0.534** (0.000) 0.606** (0.000) -0.025 (0.878) 0.112 (0.497) 0.327* (0.042) 0.127 (0.442) 2011 0.580** (0.000) 0.618** (0.000) -0.084 (0.610) -0.264 (0.104) -0.098 (0.552) 0.341* (0.033) 2012 0.609** (0.000) 0.676** (0.000) 0.055 (0.737) 0.078 (0.636) 0.051 (0.756) 0.248 (0.128) Mean 0.614** (0.000) 0.655** (0.000) -0.029 (0.862) -0.049 (0.765) 0.200 (0.221) 0.317* (0.049) Cell contents: Pearson correlation (P- value). * Indicate significance at 5% level of significance, ** Indicate significance at 1% level of significance.

The studies on larval population and percent damage in humidity (evening) 49.18-55.80%, mean sunshine from 5.74- relation to weather factors for three years (2010-2012) 8.71 hours and mean rainfall from 0.92-3.72 mm which seems revealed that the mean week for the beginning of larval to be favourable for its infestation and damage. Further the infestation was 19th standard week whereas the mean week for results revealed that highest mean peak larval population of its end was 35th standard week (Table 3). Results further 0.66 and 1.80 larvae per twig (Table 3) and per cent damage indicated that there were three mean peak larval population of 21.25 and 78.68 (Table 4 and Fig. 2) was recorded at and per cent damage periods viz. 22nd standard week for first, Shalimar while as lowest mean peak larval population of 0.33 28th for second and 34th standard week for third generation in and 1.66 larvae per twig (Table 3) and per cent damage of both managed and unmanaged orchards, respectively (Table 3 18.63 and 72.73 (Table 4) was recorded at Dhara during the & 4) which were corresponding to the period when mean entire study period in managed and unmanaged orchards, maximum temperature ranged from 26.75-29.67oC, mean respectively. The results also indicated that mean larval minimum temperature ranged from 10.0-17.41oC, mean population and per cent damage was roughly three fold more relative humidity (morning) 74.83-83.28%, mean relative in unmanaged than managed orchards (Table 3 & 4). ~ 2350 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Table 3: Monitoring of Blackheaded fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Hubner) larval population in relation to weather factors during 2010-2012.

No. of Larvae/Twig o o Month St. Wk. Tmax C Tmin C RF (mm) RHm (%) RHe (%) SS (hrs) Unmanaged Orchard Managed Orchard Shalimar Chitherhama Dhara Mean Shalimar Chitherhama Dhara Mean 9th 11.59 2.00 3.42 89.14 54.52 3.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10th 15.82 1.53 1.21 83.71 41.37 5.93 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 March 11th 19.33 3.62 1.83 79.42 37.61 5.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12th 21.19 5.83 0.00 74.75 33.96 6.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13th 16.76 5.37 2.98 87.66 58.18 3.62 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14th 19.23 5.01 2.38 81.28 48.47 5.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 April 15th 18.90 7.35 5.49 83.42 59.94 4.26 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16th 19.71 6.10 4.00 84.04 54.33 6.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 17th 22.49 8.15 2.46 81.56 53.61 5.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 18th 22.59 8.69 2.33 80.85 54.38 6.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 19th 23.02 9.11 2.63 81.09 55.90 5.96 0.93 0.66 0.46 0.68 0.40 0.33 0.06 0.26 May 20th 24.73 10.18 1.90 76.99 51.61 7.86 0.93 0.80 0.66 0.79 0.40 0.33 0.20 0.30 21st 24.30 10.35 4.27 78.70 48.71 5.77 1.13 1.00 0.73 0.95 0.53 0.40 0.26 0.39 22nd 26.75 10.01 0.92 74.80 49.18 8.71 1.26 1.20 0.93 1.13 0.60 0.46 0.33 0.46 23rd 25.90 10.92 2.61 77.90 48.52 7.12 0.86 0.66 0.46 0.66 0.33 0.13 0.06 0.17 June 24th 27.99 12.56 0.55 77.80 52.18 8.32 0.33 0.20 0.13 0.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 25th 30.66 14.75 0.46 77.80 48.71 9.61 1.00 0.86 0.80 0.88 0.40 0.26 0.13 0.26 26th 28.59 14.61 0.51 75.66 57.42 8.15 1.26 1.20 0.93 1.13 0.53 0.40 0.26 0.39 27th 30.29 16.04 0.58 75.40 49.48 8.41 1.73 1.40 1.33 1.48 0.66 0.40 0.33 0.46 July 28th 29.67 16.11 1.37 79.42 55.80 7.51 1.80 1.66 1.53 1.66 0.66 0.53 0.33 0.51 29th 29.60 16.94 2.60 80.28 54.99 7.05 1.20 1.00 0.80 0.99 0.53 0.33 0.26 0.37 30th 30.42 18.21 1.28 84.37 53.28 6.95 0.20 0.13 0.06 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 31st 29.83 18.39 4.83 81.95 58.18 4.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 32nd 29.07 17.49 1.61 83.37 59.80 5.69 1.26 1.13 0.93 1.11 0.40 0.26 0.20 0.28 August 33rd 30.21 17.35 1.19 83.37 54.09 7.02 1.53 1.26 1.13 1.30 0.60 0.46 0.26 0.44 34th 29.52 17.41 3.72 83.28 52.85 5.74 1.66 1.46 1.33 1.48 0.60 0.46 0.40 0.48 35th 30.26 16.08 0.26 82.70 53.04 7.42 0.06 0.06 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 36th 27.80 16.53 3.53 85.22 61.03 5.61 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 September 37th 25.79 13.91 2.87 90.01 63.21 6.57 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 38th 25.80 10.20 0.71 87.85 56.13 7.24 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 39th 27.35 8.04 0.00 88.66 50.66 8.54 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 40th 25.42 7.47 0.11 89.99 55.09 7.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 41st 24.75 5.64 0.00 88.66 54.85 7.58 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 October 42nd 19.61 5.18 2.66 89.75 67.47 5.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 43rd 19.04 2.24 0.16 88.75 61.23 6.52 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Tmax = Maximum temperature, Tmin =Minimum temperature, RHm = Relative humidity at morning, RHe = Relative humidity at evening, SS = Sun shine, RF = Rain fall.

~ 2351 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Table 4: Mean per cent damage done by Blackheaded fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Hubner) during cropping season from 2010-2012.

Mean per cent damage Month Standard weak Un managed orchard Managed orchard Shalimar Chitherhama Dhara Mean Shalimar Chitherhama Dhara Mean 9th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 March 11th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 April 15th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 17th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 18th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 19th 3.99 2.18 2.08 2.75 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 May 20th 26.12 22.79 17.55 22.17 3.11 2.69 1.89 2.56 21st 34.83 30.47 26.43 30.57 6.32 5.13 4.10 5.18 22nd 70.64 57.74 46.88 58.42 16.46 14.37 12.35 14.39 23rd 66.79 56.21 46.79 56.59 15.81 13.60 11.65 13.68 June 24th 63.54 52.62 45.49 53.88 15.22 13.25 11.27 13.24 25th 69.89 63.31 55.17 62.79 16.96 14.60 12.92 14.82 26th 75.30 71.65 68.79 71.91 19.35 18.46 17.14 18.31 27th 76.21 73.37 70.37 73.31 20.03 19.02 17.38 18.81 July 28th 78.68 75.61 72.73 75.67 21.25 20.27 18.63 20.05 29th 74.12 69.62 65.72 69.82 19.26 17.97 16.28 17.83 30th 72.17 68.02 63.98 68.05 18.14 16.92 15.32 16.79 31st 66.01 63.79 61.33 63.71 15.89 15.40 14.39 15.22 32nd 71.53 70.40 64.71 68.88 18.26 16.98 16.11 17.12 August 33rd 75.44 72.20 67.35 71.66 19.56 17.72 17.30 18.19 34th 75.91 73.40 70.30 73.20 21.52 19.41 18.78 19.90 35th 74.89 73.25 67.70 71.94 20.09 18.96 17.60 18.88 36th 73.60 72.24 66.47 70.77 19.11 18.17 16.87 17.95 September 37th 72.55 71.57 65.26 69.79 18.43 17.36 15.82 17.20 38th 71.45 70.16 64.03 68.54 17.72 16.75 14.99 16.48 39th 70.62 68.82 63.13 67.52 16.91 16.03 14.05 15.66 40th 69.80 67.44 61.74 66.32 16.08 15.14 13.74 14.98 October 41st 67.55 65.93 60.13 64.53 15.22 14.03 12.78 14.00

Fig 2: Influence of weather factors on larval population during 2010-2012

The correlation study (Table-5) of larval population with in both managed and unmanaged apple orchards at 1 and 5% weather factors during 2010-2012 made it clear that level of significance. However other weather factors viz. maximum temperature, minimum temperature had significant relative humidity evening, rain fall and sunshine were non- positive impact while as relative humidity morning had significantly correlated with larval population in both significant negative impact on the larval population build-up managed and unmanaged orchards. ~ 2352 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Table 5: Correlation matrix showing relationship between Rhopobota naevana (Hubner) larval population and weather factors in managed and unmanaged apple orchard during 2010-2012.

Larval population Weather factors o o Year Orchard Tmax C Tmin C RF (mm) RHm (%) RHe (%) SS (hrs) Managed 0.416* (0.012) 0.510** (0.001) 0.121 (0.488) -0.428* (0.010) 0.151 (0.385) 0.232 (0.180) 2010 Unmanaged 0.383* (0.023) 0.484** (0.003) 0.138 (0.429) -0.383* (0.023) 0.147 (0.398) 0.204 (0.239) Managed 0.522** (0.001) 0.585** (0.000) -0.151 (0.385) -0.497** (0.002) -0.199 (0.251) 0.265 (0.124) 2011 Unmanaged 0.509** (0.001) 0.546** (0.000) -0.169 (0.331) -0.534** (0.001) -0.252 (0.144) 0.302 (0.077) Managed 0.508** (0.001) 0.486** (0.003) -0.172 (0.322) -0.315 (0.065) -0.022 (0.898) 0.302 (0.077) 2012 Unmanaged 0.582** (0.000) 0.574** (0.000) -0.209 (0.228) -0.297 (0.083) -0.063 (0.718) 0.311 (0.069) Managed 0.515** (0.001) 0.525** (0.001) -0.041 (0.814) -0.546** (0.000) -0.056 (0.749) 0.385 (0.022) Mean Unmanaged 0.564** (0.000) 0.581** (0.000) -0.079 (0.652) -0.541** (0.000) -0.043 (0.807) 0.403 (0.016) Cell contents: Pearson correlation (P- value). * Indicate significance at 5% level of significance. ** Indicate significance at 1% level of significance.

Discussion both managed and unmanaged orchards, respectively which Studies on population dynamics of Rhopobota naevana from corresponded to the period when mean maximum temperature 2010 to 2012 recorded the mean week for the beginning of ranged from 26.75-29.67oC, mean minimum temperature flight period as 22nd standard week whereas the mean week ranged from 10.0-17.41oC, mean relative humidity (morning) for its end was found as 39th standard week. Results further from 74.83-83.28%, mean relative humidity (evening) from showed three mean peak flight periods viz. 25th standard week 49.18-55.80%, mean sunshine from 5.74-8.71 hours and mean (26 moths/trap/night) for first generation, 33rd standard week rainfall from 0.92-3.72 mm that seemed to be favourable for (35.66 moths/trap/night) for second generation and 38th its infestation and damage. Our findings didn,t agree with standard week (30.66 moths/trap/night) for third generation those of Sylvia and Averil (2005) [6] and Mahr (2005) [3] which which corresponded to the period when mean maximum reported only two peak larval infestation periods on temperature ranged from 26-31oC, minimum temperature Cranberry, however they also reported three generations in from 11-18oC, morning relative humidity from 77-87%, warm years with an early spring. No earlier reports were evening relative humidity 48-57%, sunshine from 7.02-9.6 found on the percentage of damage done by Blackheaded hours and rainfall from 0.47-1.19 mm that seemed to be fireworm, Rhopobota naevana on apple crop elsewhere to favourable for its emergence. Present findings are not in determine its pest status. Further the results recorded highest conformity with those of Sylvia and Averil (2005) [6] which mean peak larval infestation of 0.66 and 1.80 larvae per twig reported only two peak flight periods under American and per cent damage of 21.25 and 78.68 at Shalimar while as conditions on Cranberry, however they also reported first and lowest mean peak larval infestation of 0.33 and 1.66 larvae second generation peak flight periods during mid June and per twig and per cent damage of 18.63 and 72.73 was early August, respectively and three generations during warm recorded at Dhara during the entire study period in managed years with early spring. Data further revealed capturing of 905 and unmanaged orchards, respectively. The less larval moths during entire period in which the percentage of first infestation and damage at Dhara might have been due to more generation trap catch was found 30.82% (279), the second day and night temperature fluctuations as compared to generation was 44.08 % (399) and that of third generation was Shalimar and Chitherhama. The results also indicated three 25.08% (227). The more number of moths captured during fold mean larval population and per cent damage in second generation indicated high population that might have unmanaged than managed orchards. been due to favourable weather and host plant conditions. The Results of correlation of larval population with weather results also revealed more abundance of male than female factors during 2010-2012 revealed that maximum temperature moths in light trap catches which supported the general and minimum temperature had significant positive impact observation of a sexual dimorphism in the flight to light while as relative humidity morning had significant negative behaviour of moths. Other possible functional explanations impact on the larval population build-up in both managed and include different flight activities of males and females or unmanaged apple orchards at 1 and 5% level of significance. differences in the perception of light between males and However other weather factors viz., relative humidity females. No earlier reports were found on the population evening, rain fall and sunshine had been found non- dynamics of Rhopobota naevana elsewhere to determine its significantly correlated with larval population in both development. managed and unmanaged orchards. Correlation of adult population with weather factors during 2010-2012 showed significant positive impact of maximum Conclusion temperature, minimum temperature and sunshine on the From present study it has been concluded that Blackheaded population build-up at 1 and 5% level of significance, while fireworm has three complete generations per year in as other weather factors i.e. rainfall, relative humidity temperate region of J&K from May to October and undergoes morning and relative humidity evening had been found non- hibernation in egg stage and its population is effected by significantly correlated with moth population. climatic factors and altitude of place, as population dynamics Studies on larval population and per cent damage in relation study of Rhopobota naevana revealed that adult trap catch and to weather factors during 2010-2012 reported the mean week larval infestation initiated in May, reached to its peak during for the beginning of larval infestation as 19th standard week month of August and finished in month of September and whereas the mean week for its end as 35th standard week. highest larval infestation and twig damage was recorded at Results further observed three mean peak larval infestation Shalimar and Chitherhama while as lowest at Dhara during and per cent damage periods viz., 22nd standard week for first, the entire study period. Moreover, biology and pest status of 28th for second and 34th standard week for third generation in this economically important pest is also less studied.

~ 2353 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Therefore, steps need to be taken for more in depth investigation.

Acknowledgement Authors are highly thankful to Division of entomology SKUAST-Kashmir for giving necessary permissions and constant support. Thanks are also due to Dr. V. V. Ramamurthy, Principal Scientist, Entomology, ICAR, New Delhi for his encouragement during the course of this study.

References 1. Bhagat KC, Masoodi MA, Koul VK. Note on the incidence of Archips pomivora Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) as a new pest of apple in Kashmir. Journal of Insect Science. 1994; 71(1):112-113. 2. Brown JW. World Catalogue of . Tortricidae (Lepidoptera), Apollo Books, Stenstrup, Denmark. 2005; 2:741. 3. Mahr DL. Blackheaded fireworm University of Wisconsin Madison-Cranberry Crop Management Software, CCM, 2005. 4. Razowski J. The genera of Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) common for the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions. Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia. 2002; 45(3):197-205. 5. Scoble MJ. The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity, Oxford University Press, New York, 1992. 6. Sylvia MM, Averill AL. Cranberry insects of the Northeast. Umass Extension Publication, 2005. 7. Timm AE. Morphological and molecular studies of Tortricid moths of economic importance to the South African fruit industry. Ph D (Agric) - dissertation, Stellenbosch University, 2005. 8. Wadhi SR, Sethi GR. Eradication of codling moth - a suggestion. Nuclear Agriculture Biology. 1975; 4:18-19.

~ 2354 ~