Here is a list of pests that commonly affect guava trees, along with their scientific names, family, order, damaging stage, nature of damage, oviposition and pupation sites, and management strategies:
1. Fruit Fly
- Scientific Name: Bactrocera dorsalis
- Family: Tephritidae
- Order: Diptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae stage
- Nature of Damage: Fruit infestation, causing premature fruit drop and damage to the fruit pulp
- Oviposition Site: Female fruit flies lay eggs under the fruit skin
- Pupation Site: Pupation occurs in the soil beneath the infested tree
- Management: Regular fruit collection and destruction of infested fruits, application of fruit fly traps, bait sprays, and sterile insect technique.
2. Spiraling Whitefly
- Scientific Name: Aleurodicus dispersus
- Family: Aleyrodidae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymph and adult stages
- Nature of Damage: Sucking insect that feeds on sap, leading to leaf yellowing, honeydew secretion, and sooty mold development
- Oviposition Site: Eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves
- Pupation Site: Nymphs develop on the undersides of leaves
- Management: Pruning of heavily infested branches, application of horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps, biological control with natural enemies like parasitic wasps.
3. Bark Eating Caterpillar
- Scientific Name: Indarbela quadrinotata
- Family: Notodontidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae stage
- Nature of Damage: Feeds on bark and cambium layer, causing defoliation, stunted growth, and potential death of the tree
- Oviposition Site: Eggs are laid on tree bark or leaves
- Pupation Site: Pupation occurs in protected areas on or near the tree
- Management: Manual removal of caterpillars, application of botanical or chemical insecticides, maintaining good tree health and hygiene.
4. Fruit Borers
- Scientific Names:
- Congethes (Dichocrocis) punctiferalis
- Deudorix (Virachola) isocrates
- Rapala varuna
- Family: Pyralidae (Congethes punctiferalis), Lycaenidae (Deudorix isocrates and Rapala varuna)
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae stage
- Nature of Damage: Bore into fruit, causing internal damage and rotting
- Oviposition Site: Eggs are laid on the fruit surface or nearby leaves
- Pupation Site: Pupation occurs in protected areas on or near the tree
- Management: Sanitation practices like timely removal and destruction of infested fruits, application of insecticides, pheromone traps, and biological control with parasitic wasps.
5. Green Scale
- Scientific Name: Coccus viridis
- Family: Coccidae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymph and adult stages
- Nature of Damage: Sucking insect that feeds on plant sap, leading to leaf yellowing, stunted growth, and sooty mold development
- Oviposition Site: Eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves or bark crevices
- Pupation Site: Nymphs develop on the plant surface
- Management: Application of horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps, biological control with natural enemies like ladybugs or parasitic wasps, pruning of heavily infested branches.
6. Mealybug
- Scientific Name: Planococcus citri
- Family: Pseudococcidae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymph and adult stages
- Nature of Damage: Sucking insect that feeds on plant sap, causing leaf distortion, yellowing, and honeydew secretion
- Oviposition Site: Eggs are laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves or bark crevices
- Pupation Site: Nymphs develop on the plant surface
- Management: Physical removal of mealybugs, application of horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps, biological control with natural enemies like ladybugs or parasitic wasps, pruning of heavily infested branches.
It's important to note that specific management strategies may vary based on location, severity of infestation, and local regulations. It's recommended to consult with local agricultural extension services or experts for personalized guidance on pest management.
