Seasonal Incidence of Natural Enemies Associated with Major Insect Pests in Pearl Millet

Abstract

A field investigation was conducted during Kharif 2025 at the Research Farm of the National Agricultural Research Project (NARP), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, to record the seasonal occurrence of natural enemies in pearl millet. Ladybird beetles (LBB) and chrysopids were observed at weekly intervals from the 29th to the 38th standard meteorological week (SMW), alongside major insect pests. Ladybird beetle abundance ranged from 0.0 to 1.5 per observation, with the maximum value of 1.5 recorded during the 36th SMW. Chrysopid abundance ranged from 0.0 to 1.2, reaching its maximum during the 38th SMW. Ladybird beetles were not recorded during the 32nd SMW, while chrysopids were absent during the 31st SMW. Both groups were recorded during several crop-growth stages, indicating that natural enemies were present in the pearl millet ecosystem during the observation period. The findings highlight the importance of regular field monitoring and conservation of beneficial arthropods as components of integrated pest management. The study records seasonal occurrence only; further replicated studies are required to establish the role of these natural enemies in suppressing particular pests.