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Mealy Bug – Scientific Name > Ferrisia virgata
What is Mealy Bug?
Mealy bug is a sucking pest which sucks, sap from leaves, flowers, fruits and succulent plant parts, hampering and destroying its growth.
- It is seen that female mealy bugs are more destructive than male mealy bugs
How does it Damages the fruit?
- It is seen that only the nymph & female feeds on plant parts
- Female sucks sap from leaves, flowers and fruits restricting its proper growth and development
- Both nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves causing withering and yellowing of leaves. Sometime fruit may also drop prematurely. Heavy infestation can cause defoliation too.
- A cluster of white patches like cotton can be seen under leaf surfaces & twigs with waxy secretion.
- Heavy infestation leads to sooty mold – fungal infection. Insect releases honeydew due to which secondary infection of sooty mold occurs.
- Sooty mold hampers general life processes of plant.
How to Manage or control Mealy Bug?
- Cleanliness is the most effective way to decrease pest & disease infestation. Always keep orchard free from weeds and plant debris.
- Always clear off all fallen fruits from orchard floor. This is to check carryover of pest.
- Placement of sticky band around tree trunk will help in transit of mealy bug or its carrier ants from climbing up the tree.
- Initially when infestation is light sprayed with soap water, it will primarily wash out insect from plant parts, and needs to be followed by drenching soil with Chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 2 ml/litre.
- Foliar sprays with following agro chemical can be conducted –
– Triozhophos 2 ml+ neem oil 5 ml/litre
– Phosalone 35 EC 1.5 ml+ neem oil 5 ml/litre
– Chlorpyrifos @ 1.5ml/lit. water
– Phosalone 35 EC 2ml/ lit. water
– Malathian 50 EC 2 ml/lit. water
– Methomyl 40 SP @ 1 g/lit. water
– Dichlorvos 76% EC @ 2ml/lit. water
N.B. After every Foliar spray drench soil with Chloropyriphos
- In case of heavy infestation prune trees completely and burn down removed parts away from the field.
- Heavy infestation- In such cases, pruning of plants become compulsory, resulting in fruition delay.
Disclaimer:
- Above contents are based on our own learning and experiences shared by VNR Bihi Guava Growers. We don’t intent to promote any chemical formulation directly or indirectly.
- The quality of chemical or other inputs stays with its manufacturers & vendors of same.
- Growers need to confirm above two points from its manufacturer & vendors of mentioned inputs.
- In case of any confusion or dilemma growers are suggested to consult technical team VNR Nursery or visit nearest KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kedras) or Central or State Government Agricultural Universities & Research stations to address of their problems.
