Seasonal incidence and influence of weather factors on the population dynamics of sugarcane web mite, Schizotetranchyus andropogoni hirst on sugarcane

A study was conducted to assess the population dynamics of sugarcane web mite, Schizotetranchyus andropogoni Hirst during June 2017 to May 2018 in field condition at Sugarcane Research Station (SRS), Cuddalore district. The population density of sugarcane web mite, S. andropogoni of mite touched its peak (10.45 mites / 2cm2 area of leaf) during the first week of May 2018 (18th SMW) and the mite population declined during the first week of September 2017 (35th SMW) to last week of December 2017 (8.43 to 4.53 mites / 2cm2 area of leaf). The web mite population had a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.927**), minimum temperature (r = 0.774**) and a negative correlation with relative humidity (r = -0. 729**) and rainfall (r = -0. 312* ) and non-significant positive correlation with wind velocity (0.107NS).