MIGRATORY BEHAVIOUR OF MANGO HOPPERS, IDIOSCOPUS SPP. IN RELATION TO HOST PLANT FLOWERING PHENOLOGY: A SYNCHRONOUS SHIFT

Abstract

A study was conducted to understand the seasonal migratory behaviour of mango hoppers, Idioscopus spp. from main tree trunk to flowering panicles in relation to host plant flowering phenology. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.65) between the hoppers present on the flower panicle with the availability of inflorescence on the tree and a significant negative correlation (r = -0.24) with the hoppers present on the main tree trunk strongly associates the flowering phenomenon as a major factor triggering the niche shift in Idioscopus spp. The local migration of hoppers with the changing host plant phenology was explained by linear (y = 0.078x -0.066; R²= 0.48) and exponential (y = 0.0387^e0.0033x; R²= 0.62) models. As hoppers is the major hindrance during flowering season, this study helps in developing accurate models for seasonal hopper dispersal to enable precise forecasting of pest pressure on mango inflorescence and also for off-season management to reduce crop loss.