Showing posts with label Pest Management. Show all posts
Eco Friendly Measure to Control Papaya Mealybug
Posted by Unknown in Ecology, India, Organic, Organic Farming, Papaya, Pest Management on Tuesday, 14 May 2013
N. SAKTHIVEL
R. BALAKRISHNA
Chemical
measures to control the outbreak of papaya mealybug in Tamil Nadu did
not yield success because of wider host range including many weed
species and trees, presence of thick protective waxy coating over the
body and mainly development of resistance to the chemical insecticides.
Past lesson
Recent survey
in Tamil Nadu indicated reappearance of papaya mealybug in a few areas
of Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Coimbatore, Virudunagar and Thirunelveli
districts.
The incidence is also recorded on other plant species including hibiscus, sorrel leaves, tomato, brinjal etc.
Though the
population of the pest recorded below economic injury level, incidence
of this pest is found to be increased in the locations facing severe
drought and hot climate.
Past experience
revealed that spray of insecticides induced the outbreak of the bug
rather than control because of its resistance and destruction of natural
enemies as they are highly sensitive to the chemicals.
Contact
Release of
above said exotic parasitoids at 200 individuals per location alone is
sufficient to manage the pest. If incidence of papaya mealybug is
noticed, farmers may approach nearby agriculture universities or field
units of Central Silk Board for help.
(N.Sakthivel, Scientist,Research Extension Center, Central Silk Board, Srivilliputtur, Tamil Nadu, email: sakthivelcsb@hotmail.com, Mobile: 098427 61789 & R. Balakrishna, Scientist, & Head, Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem, Tamil Nadu, email: balakrishna131@gmail.com, Mobile: 09443692283.)
Catch Slugs with Citrus
Posted by Unknown in Citrus Fruit, Gardening, Homestead Tips and Tricks, Pest Management, Slug on Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Catch Slugs
with Citrus. Leave a bunch of lemon, orange and grapefruit rinds out
overnight near slug prone plants and then collect them-covered with
slugs-first thing in the morning.
Management Tips for Controlling Mango Hoppers
Posted by Unknown in Mango, Pest and Parasites, Pest Management
R. K. MURALI BASKARAN
J. JAYARAJ
The Hindu
Three
species of mango hoppers namely Idioscopus niveosparsus, Idioscopus
clypealis and Amirtodus atkinsoni are serious pests in the entire mango
growing regions of India.
They remain active throughout the year but the incidence is severe during the months from February to April.
Infested
flowers shrivel, turn brown and ultimately fall off. Besides feeding
injury, the hoppers also excrete honey dews on which black mould
develops that interferes with photosynthesis and arrests new shoot
development.
POOR FRUIT SET
These damages
result in weakening of the plants, reduction in fruit set and premature
dropping of fruits, leading up to 60 per cent yield loss.
Egg laying
starts from February to March. Each female lays around 150 eggs, laid
singly by inserting into florets and stalk of the inflorescence. The
eggs hatch in 4 to 7 days. Freshly hatched nymphs are white and
gradually turn yellowish-green. They undergo 4-5 moultings in 10-13 days
and become adults which are light greenish-brown in colour with black
and yellow markings.
There may be
2-3 generations during the blossoming period. Adult hoppers are found
all through the year hiding on the bark of the tree.
MANAGEMENT
Avoid close
planting and prune dense orchards during winter for better light
interception. Keep the orchard clean by regular ploughing and removal of
weeds.
Collect and destroy affected inflorescence.
Spray Carbaryl
at 2gm/lit, Phosalone 1.5ml/lit, Etofenprox 0.03 per cent, acephate 75
SP at 1gm/lit, or imidacloprid 0.2ml/lit twice in February and March.
The first spray should be given during flower formation stage and the second, two weeks after the first spray.
Wettable sulphur at2 gm/lit may be sprayed after spraying carbaryl to avoid mite resurgence.
(J. Jayaraj, Prof and R. K. Murali Baskaran Professor and Head, Dept. of Agrl. Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai 625 104, email: vu2jrj@rediffmail.com, Phone:0452-2422956 Extn.214)
How to Control Stink Bugs | Useful Tips
Posted by Unknown in Gardening, Insect, Pest Management on Friday, 25 January 2013
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
There
are a number of options which can be used to control stink bugs,
although there is no one “best option” to deal with these insect pests.
One important consideration is that many stink bugs are resistant to
common pesticides, so people who are considering chemical control should
be sure to identify the stink bugs in question in order to use the
appropriate chemical controls. It can also help to use the services of a
company which specializes in such infestations, since stink bugs can be
quite pernicious.
Stink
bugs are insects in the Pentatomidae family, and as the common name for
these bugs implies, they stink. The animals emit small amounts of a
noxious substance from glands under the bodies to deter predators and
send signals to other stink bugs. In the garden, stink bugs can wreak
havoc on crops as well as generating an unpleasant smell, and in the
home, a stink bug invasion can be quite unpleasant.
If
you have stink bugs in your garden, the first thing you should do is
remove weeds, because the bugs can use the weeds as a cover. To deter
the bugs from your house, remove weeds and foliage near the house,
forcing the animals to cross barren ground to gain access to the
structure. After you have removed weeds and other foliage which could be
used as cover, you can try scattering kaolin clay around the area, or
spray your plants with a kaolin clay solution. Stink bugs are not able
to lay eggs and feed on plants covered in this harmless mineral clay,
which can simply be washed off any vegetables and fruits.
If
you're lucky, your stink bugs will be attacked by predators and
parasites. A number of organisms will attack stink bug eggs, and while
these organisms are not available for commercial sale, they may be
present in your area, especially if you live in an agricultural
community. Many state-sponsored stink bug control methods have focused
on the release of such parasites, protecting crops and gardens in the
areas that they are released.
If
these measures do not work, a number of companies produce organic
insecticide soaps which are targeted at stink bugs, and you can also use
chemical insecticides which are formulated for various stink bug
species. Before using insecticides, however, be aware that insecticides
are highly toxic and difficult to deal with, and they should really only
be considered as a last resort.
If
stink bugs have penetrated your house, the first thing you need to do
is to stop the problem from getting any worse. Use caulk to seal the
house thoroughly, paying special attention to the areas where stink bugs
are crawling through. Then, use a vacuum to suck up the bugs; you don't
want to crush or kill them, because this could attract more stink bugs
and feed other insect populations in your house. Once you have pulled as
many stink bugs out of the house as possible, empty the vacuum canister
outside, or throw out the bag. You may need to repeat this process
several times if the bugs are in the walls.
