Characterization of Helicoverpa armigera spatial distribution in pigeonpea crop using geostatistical methods

• Published in: Pest management science 2021-11, Vol.77 (11), p.4942-4950
• Main Authors: Seethalam, Malathi, Bapatla, Kiran Gandhi, Kumar, Murari, Nisa, Shabistana, Chandra, Puran, Mathyam, Prabhakar, Sengottaiyan, Vennila
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agglomeration; aggregation; Animals; Borers; Cajanus; Crops; Crops, Agricultural; Distribution patterns; Food availability; Food security; Food sources; Geostatistics; Helicoverpa armigera; Heterogeneity; India; Interpolated mapping; Larva; Larvae; Management tools; Moths; Pigeonpeas; range value; Sampling; sampling weeks; Spatial Analysis; Spatial distribution; Spatial heterogeneity; variogram; Voronoi diagram; Voronoi graphs
• ISSN: 1526-498X; 1526-4998
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.6536

BACKGROUND The gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an economically important pest of pigeonpea crop in India. Fixed plot surveys for H. armigera larvae were carried out at 28 pigeonpea fields located in the Southern Plateau and Hills agro‐climatic zone of India for three crop seasons (nine sampling weeks per season). The spatiotemporal dynamics of H. armigera larvae in the experimental area (=Hanamkonda) was analysed using geostatistics tools, namely a variogram and Voronoi diagram, and H. armigera larval distribution patterns were further characterized and mapped. RESULTS A significant difference in H. armigera larval incidence was noticed between sampling weeks, with greater larval incidence observed between 26 November and 2 December. Pod formation phenophase (Meteorological Standard Week 44) of pigeonpea favoured the initial H. armigera larval incidence. Variogram analysis revealed moderate to strong larval aggregation (spatial dependence) of H. armigera in all nine sampling weeks. Based on the range value of the variogram, the average aggregation distance of H. armigera larvae in pigeonpea was estimated to be 2425.48 m. Voronoi diagrams illustrated the spatial heterogeneity of H. armigera larva between sampling weeks, which can be linked to availability of food sources. CONCLUSION This study witnessed intrapopulation variability in H. armigera larvae associated with geographical space and temporal patterns. Based on our findings, a sampling distance of 2425.48 m may be used in larger pigeonpea fields (experimental area) to reduce scouting fatigue. The interpolated maps generated in this study may be of value in developing effective H. armigera larva monitoring and management tools in pigeonpea crop. Interpolated maps generated using geostatistical tools evidenced moderate to strong intraseasonal aggregation of Helicoverpa armigera larvae in pigeonpea crop, and may be useful in the development of effective monitoring and management tools. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.