author(s)
P Ganesh Kumar, NS Azad Thakur, Sonali Nakambam and Wankitkupar Fernando Nadon

abstract
The Studies on population dynamics of major coleopteran insect pests, white spotted leaf beetle (Monolepta signata Olivier) and banded blister beetle (Mylabris pustulata Thunberg) which caused significant damage to black gram was conducted at College of agriculture, Kyrdemkulai and School of Crop Protection, College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Umiam (Barapani), Meghalaya during pre-kharif season, 2018. Studies revealed that Monolepta signatawas found active throughout the cropping season whereas, Mylabris pustulatawas most active only during flowering stage of black gram. Incidence of white spotted leaf beetle was commenced from 16^th standard meteorological week (SMW) i.e., 18^th April’ 18 with a mean population of 0.72 grubs and adults/plant, however, banded blister beetle infestation was observed for the first time during 19^nd SMW with a scanty population of 0.21 grubs and adults/plant. Subsequently, highest mean population of both white spotted leaf beetle (4.32 grubs and adult/plant) and banded blister beetle (1.45 grubs and adults/plant) was observed during first week of May, 22nd SMW (2^nd May’ 18). Correlation studies between pest population and meteorological parameters showed that all the weather factors had shown non-significant positive correlation with white spotted leaf beetle population except for the morning RH which showed non-significant and negative correlation. Whereas, banded blister beetle population was correlated positively and non-significantly with temperature (maximum and minimum) meanwhile, rainfall and RH (morning and evening) showed negative and non-significant correlation.