<p>The study investigated the resistance of pigeonpea interspecific derivatives to <i>Maruca vitrata</i> (spotted pod borer) based on web formation, pod damage and morphological traits. Among the interspecific derivatives assessed, ENT 21-154-11 and ENT 21-1389 showed resistance to <i>M. vitrata</i> herbivory with significantly lower number of webs (1.94 and 2.00, respectively) and reduced pod damage (7.07% and 7.23%, respectively). These interspecific derivatives also recorded higher pod evaluation index (50.13 and 49.07, respectively) and grain yield (826.08 kgha⁻¹ and 822.21 kgha⁻¹, respectively) thus, indicating their potential resilience against borer infestation. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis revealed that web numbers were negatively correlated with several agronomic and morphological parameters, including pod evaluation index, pod load rating, yield, leaf stalk length, peduncle length, pedicel length, pod length, pod stalk length and pod angle. Conversely, web numbers showed positive correlations with pod damage rating, per cent pod damage, leaf width, leaf area in both upper and middle canopy. For pubescence-related traits, both PCA and correlation analysis revealed negative correlation between webbing and trichome characteristics, including leaf trichome density and length as well as pod trichome density and length. These findings underscore the potential role of plant morphological traits in conferring resistance to <i>M. vitrata</i> in interspecific pigeonpea derivatives.</p>