Population dynamics and extent of damage due to pest complex on capsicum (Capsicum annum L.) under shade net house

Field experiments were carried out to study the population dynamics and extent of damage due to pest complex on capsicum under shade net house during summer 2014 and 2015. Results revealed that the yellow Mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks, Thrip, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, White fly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, Aphid, Aphis gossypi I Glover and beat army worm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) infested the capsicum crop. The peak population of yellow mite (10.73 and 11.80 per three leaves) was recorded in third week of May during the years, 2014 and 2015. The peak population of thrips (6.60 and 6.93 per three leaves) was observed in last week of April in both the years. The peak population of aphid (2.80 and 3.07 per three leaves) was found in first week of May in 2014 and last week of April in 2015. The peak population of whitefly (5.80 and 7.27 per three leaves) was recorded in third week of April and last week of April in 2014 and 2015, respectively, while the peak population of beet armyworm (2.00 and 1.47 per plant) was noticed in second and third week of May in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The abiotic factors were found to have non-significant correlation with whitefly population. Likewise maximum temperature, minimum temperature and rainfall had non-significant correlation with mite, thrips and beet armyworm infestation, however maximum temperature had significant positive correlation with mite infestation. Rainfall had significant negative correlation with beet armyworm infestation in 2015. Maximum and minimum relative humidity had significant negative correlation with mite, thrips and beet armyworm population, whereas, maximum and minimum relative humidity had non-significant correlation with aphid infestation. Minimum temperature showed significant negative correlation with aphid populations. During the studies the crop damage started on second fortnight of March and highest was in second fortnight of May, first fortnight of May and second fortnight of April due to mite, thrips and beet armyworm, respectively.