SPODOPTERA-LITURA MALE MOTH CATCHES IN PHEROMONE TRAPS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH OVIPOSITION IN GROUNDNUT FIELD AT PANTNAGAR, INDIA

Population of Spodoptera litura F. were monitored through pheromone-ba ited traps during the rainy season 1988 and 1989 in groundnut fields i n relation to oviposition on leaves. Four peaks of adult catches were recorded. First and second peaks were smaller and caused no threat to crop. Third peak was observed at the pegging and pod-initiation stage during first week of September and coincided with the greatest oviposi tion on leaves. The fourth peak was greatest and occurred between 40th and 43rd standard week. However, no oviposition was recorded on groun dnut during this period. The moths possibly dispersed and/or migrated to other areas with crops at an appropriate stage of susceptibility.