430 B. B. Fand et al.
with earlier reports (Vennila et al. 2010 , 2011 ;
Nagrare et al. 2011 ). Dhawan et al. ( 2007 ) re-
corded highest field infestation in the months
of July–August (30–34 standard meteorological
weeks) in Bathinda, Muktsar, Ferozepur, and
Faridkot districts of Punjab State. In Tamil Nadu,
P. solenopsis population was maximum during
June, decreased slowly during September and
there was no incidence up to February (Suresh
et al. 2010 ).
The model predicted favorable temperature
range for P. solenopsis development, survival,
and reproduction within a range of 20–35 °C with
maximum population growth potential and short-
er generation length at 30 °C. The knowledge
on temporal variation in P. solenopsis growth
and development in response to changing tem-
perature conditions help in undertaking effective
management strategies. The findings revealed
significant changes in P. solenopsis activity
under climate change scenario, which included
expansion of a geographical distribution range at
higher altitudes, marked increase in the number
of generations per year and increased abundance
and damage activity in present distribution range
in India. The present predictions on the future
distribution, survival, and abundance of P. sole-
nopsis clearly indicate that the invasiveness of
this pest will be aggravated and intensified under
projected climate changes.
Acknowledgments This study is a part of the research
project “Abiotic stresses affecting crop-insect pest inter-
actions in the context of global climate change (Project
Code-IXX08575)” of the School of Atmospheric Stress
Management, National Institute of Abiotic Stress Man-
agement (NIASM), Baramati, Pune, Maharashtra (India).
The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support
from Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
They are thankful to the Director, NIASM for providing
all the necessary facilities and extending his cooperation
and support to carry out present investigations. We are
grateful to the Heads of the Department of Agrometeorol-
ogy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab)
and Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola
(Maharashtra) for providing temperature data.
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