Vol. 9, Special Issue 1, Part G (2025)

The present investigation was carried out to study the seasonal incidence of invasive thrips infesting chilli at the Department of Entomology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), during kharif-rabi, 2022-23 and 2023-24. Present study revealed invasive thrips incidence on chilli twigs began in October (43^rd SMW) during kharif-rabi 2022-23, with population peaks in the 2^nd (8.20 thrips/twig) and 8^th SMW (9.00 thrips/twig), which declined by the 11^th SMW (5.60 thrips/twig). Highly negative correlations were observed with morning vapour pressure (r = -0.67**) and minimum temperature (r = -0.51*). In the year 2023-24, infestation started in September (38^th SMW) and peaked in December (49^th SMW). The infestation exhibited a highly significant negative correlation with the maximum temperature, minimum temperature, morning vapour pressure, evening vapour pressure, and rainfall. On chilli flowers, the infestation began as soon as flowering began in November (48^th SMW) during kharif-rabi, 2022-23. It peaked in January (1^st SMW, 10.80 thrips/flower), and it showed a significant negative correlation with the maximum temperature (r = -0.52*). In kharif-rabi 2023–24, the infestation started in October (43^rd SMW) and peaked in December (52^nd SMW, 10.60 thrips/flower), showing significantly negative correlations with maximum temperatures, minimum temperatures, and morning vapor pressure. The incidence of black thrips persisted throughout the crop period in both years.