Abstract

Broccoli crop was invaded by sixteen insect pests, one mite and eleven natural enemies in North Eastern Hill Region of India. The incidence of Pieris spp. was noticed from seedling stage to harvest and attained the peak level of infestation in second week of December (1.98 larvae per plant). Pieris spp. showed significantly negative correlation with Plutella xylostella (-0.419), Lipaphis erysimi (-0.376) and Phyllotreta cruciferae (-0.310), whereas P. xylostella exhibited significantly positive correlation with L. erysimi (0.536) and P. cruciferae (0.479) population. L. erysimi was noticed throughout the cropping period but attained the peak level of infestation in the first week of March (1010.20 aphids per leaf). L. erysimi showed non significant correlation with population of P. cruciferae (0.233). P. cruciferae was more abundant (5.38) during the month of February. Tetranychus cinnabarinus was more dominant and caused severe damage.

Keywords: Broccoli, pest complex, natural enemy, seasonal incidence.