Singh, Amit KumarFarid, Marya2023-02-032023-02-032022-11Preferred for your work: Farid, M. 2022. Insect Pest Succession and their Abundance on Pecan nut, Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) Koch36984https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810193180The pecan nut Caryaillinoinensis(Wangenh.)Kochacknowledged as the ‘Queen of Nuts’ is one of the most valuable nut crops grown internationally owing to its distinct flavour and ideal dietary content. However, the production and productivity of this cherished fruit crop has been threatened all over the world due to various biotic factors, especially insect pests leading to colossal monetary losses. In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, no study has ever been conducted to study the pest fauna of this nut crop. Based on this conception, the present study entitled, "Insect pest succession and their abundance on Pecan nut, Caryaillinoinensis(Wangenh.) Koch" was intended to fill this gap and epitomize an exhaustive inventory of different insect pests associated with this crop in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri, where it is grown. Sampling was done on weekly basis in both the districts and insects were collected based on the visual observation and captured employing sweeping nets, beating and hand picking from the plantations not sprayed with any insecticide. The population build-up of different pests mostly occurred during the months of May, June and July. The results of the present investigation indicated that the pecan plants are attractive to a wide variety of insect pests in both the districts at different study sites. In total, 10 insect species including the beneficials belonging to 4 orders and 8 families were recorded and identified. A comparison of the entomofauna of young and mature pecan plants indicated that insect pest species were more diversified on mature pecan plants than on young especially in the Poonch district. Among them, Phyllophaga sp., Hieroglyphus banian andMyllocerusundecimpustulatusappeared as pests of economic significance requiring chemical control. Beneficial insects encountered during the study included Mantis religiosa, Exochomusnigripennisand Camponotusdiscolor.The results of the current investigation present an important baseline for the design and implementation of management strategies of economically important pests of pecans coupled with the exploitation of natural enemies especially in Poonch district.EnglishThesis