Correlation of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) with Weather Parameters in Maize Ecosystem

Correlation of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) with Weather Parameters in Maize Ecosystem

Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive alien pest that attacks mainly
maize crop. Influence of weather parameter on the incidence of S. frugiperda
larva on maize was studied during 2019-2020 at Cauvery Delta Zone, Tamilnadu,
India. Random survey was conducted in six maize growing areas and correlation
between larval population and weather parameters like maximum temperature,
minimum temperature and rainfall was worked out. The larva population had
significant positive correlation of both same (r = 0.32 to 0.45) and previous week
(r = 0.21 to 0.52) at all the locations. Same week and previous week minimum
temperature had no significant correlation at location. The rainfall of same week (r
= -0.36 to -0.47) and previous week (-0.19 to -0.24) were significantly and
negatively correlated.