Seasonal Population Fluctuations of -Podagrica Species On Okra Plant (Abelmoschus Esculentus)

Among the insect pests that cause economic damage on Okra plants, two congeners; Podagrica uniformis and Podagrica sjostedti (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), have been observed on the cultivated plot of the okra plants during the early and late planting season. An average occurrence of 28.9 ± 5 and 30.1±0.5 of Podagrica uniformis and Podagrica sjostedti were observed respectively during the early planting season, (May to August), while an average occurrence of 26.14±0.5 and 28.3±0.5 of P. uniformis and P. sjostedti were observed respectively during the late season, (September-December). Effects of agro-climatic factors on the growth of insect pests were also observed during the duration of the study. Relative humidity and rainfall show direct effect on the population trend of Podagrica species, having a correlation of 0.48 and 0.76 respectively. However, temperatures show an indirect effect with correlation coefficient of -0.25 and -0.36 on P. uniformis and P. sjostedti population respectively.