Prevalence of major sucking pests on black pepper, Piper nigrum L. in relation to weather parameters

Studies were carried out on the prevalence of sucking pests in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) during 2013-2015 in ten fixed plots, at five different localities in Idukki District, Kerala, located within a radius of 25 km from the meteorological observatory of the Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara. The incidence of Liothrips karnyi was noticed from January to June and declined thereafter up to November. From January to May, the highest Lepidosaphes piperis population was observed, which was positively connected to maximum temperature and sunshine hours and negatively related to morning relative humidity and rainfall. Ferrisia virgata was prominent from January to April, and it was significantly and favourably related to sunshine hours while being adversely related to morning relative humidity. Weather conditions were responsible for 49–71%, 51%, and 34%–47% of thrips, scales, and mealybug incidences, respectively. As a result, meteorological conditions had a substantial impact on the location and quantity of sucking pest populations on black pepper.