Here are the major pests of chili, along with their scientific names, families, damaging stages, nature of damage, oviposition and pupation sites, and management techniques:
1. Chili thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis)
Family: Thripidae
Damaging stage: Larvae and adults
Nature of damage: Feeding on leaves and fruits, causing discoloration, scarring, and deformation
Oviposition and pupation site: In the soil, plant debris, and cracks in the bark
Management: Cultural control methods such as crop rotation, removal of infected plant debris, and use of reflective mulches; biological control using predatory mites, nematodes, and fungi; chemical control using insecticides.
2. Aphids (Aphididae spp.)
Family: Aphididae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeding on leaves, stems, and fruits, causing stunted growth, yellowing, and distortion
Oviposition and pupation site: On the leaves and stems of plants
Management: Cultural control methods such as removing weeds, using reflective mulches, and practicing crop rotation; biological control using natural enemies such as ladybugs and lacewings; chemical control using insecticides.
3. Fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.)
Family: Tephritidae
Damaging stage: Larvae
Nature of damage: Infestation of fruits, causing premature ripening, rotting, and drop
Oviposition and pupation site: In the fruit pulp
Management: Cultural control methods such as sanitation, removal of infested fruits, and use of fruit fly traps; biological control using parasitoids and predators; chemical control using insecticides.
4. Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci)
Family: Aleyrodidae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeding on leaves, causing yellowing, stunted growth, and sooty mold
Oviposition and pupation site: On the undersides of leaves
Management: Cultural control methods such as removal of infected leaves, use of reflective mulches, and crop rotation; biological control using natural enemies such as parasitic wasps and fungi; chemical control using insecticides.
5. Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Family: Tetranychidae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeding on leaves, causing stippling, yellowing, and leaf drop
Oviposition and pupation site: On the undersides of leaves
Management: Cultural control methods such as increasing humidity, removing infected leaves, and practicing crop rotation; biological control using predatory mites and insects; chemical control using acaricides.
