Seasonal population changes of helopeltis antonii (Heteroptera : Miridae) in cashew

Abstract

Populations of cashew mirid Helopeltis antonii Sign, were studied in 1976-1977 by sampling with a light trap, following the development of an artificial infestation, and observations of the presence or absence of the insect were made in randomly selected squares. A population build up in mature cashew accompanies appeared to be directly dependent on development of tender ieaves and inflorescence from September or October to February coinciding with the monsoonal rainfall, reaching a peak in January. The pest was not present on cashew from April to September. Our data suggested that the extent to which the mirid utilized vegetative tissues varied and depended on the age and nutritional changes occurring in the external parenchyma tissues which were the source of their food.