Here are the scientific names, families, orders, damaging stages, nature of damage, oviposition, pupation site, and management strategies for several pests that affect Sapota trees:
1. Chiku Moth / Sapota Leaf Webber:
- Scientific Name: Nausinoe geometralis
- Family: Crambidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae web leaves together, leading to defoliation and reduced fruit production.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves.
- Pupation Site: Pupates within a silk cocoon on the tree or nearby structures.
- Management: Regular monitoring and removal of affected leaves, pruning infested branches, and the use of biological control agents like Trichogramma wasps or chemical insecticides if necessary.
2. Sapota Seed Borer:
- Scientific Name: Carpophilus spp.
- Family: Nitidulidae
- Order: Coleoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae (borers)
- Nature of Damage: Larvae bore into sapota seeds, causing damage and reducing seed viability.
- Oviposition: Adult beetles lay eggs on sapota fruits, and the larvae tunnel into the seeds.
- Pupation Site: Pupates within the seed or nearby soil.
- Management: Harvesting fruits before they become overripe, proper storage and handling of harvested fruits to prevent infestation, and insecticide application if necessary.
3. Fruit Fly:
- Scientific Name: Bactrocera spp. (various species)
- Family: Tephritidae
- Order: Diptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae (maggots)
- Nature of Damage: Maggots feed on the pulp of the fruit, causing it to rot and drop prematurely.
- Oviposition: Female flies lay eggs inside ripe or ripening fruits.
- Pupation Site: Pupates within the soil or fallen fruits.
- Management: Regular monitoring and removal of infested fruits, the use of pheromone traps, fruit bagging, and the application of insecticides or biological control methods like the release of parasitoid wasps.
4. Sapota Stem Borer:
- Scientific Name: Indarbela tetraonis
- Family: Noctuidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae (borers)
- Nature of Damage: Larvae bore into the sapota stem, resulting in wilting, dieback, and reduced vigor.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on the stem or at the base of the tree.
- Pupation Site: Pupates within the tunnel in the stem or nearby soil.
- Management: Pruning and removing infested branches, applying sticky bands on the trunk to prevent larvae from climbing up, and the use of insecticides if necessary.
5. Hairy Caterpillar:
- Scientific Name: Eupterote spp. (various species)
- Family: Eupterotidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae feed on leaves, causing defoliation and reduced tree vigor.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves.
- Pupation Site: Pupates within a cocoon on the tree or nearby structures.
- Management: Handpicking and destroying caterpillars, pruning infested branches, using biological control agents like Trichogramma wasps, or applying suitable insecticides if necessary.
6. Leaf Folder:
- Scientific Name: Homona spp. (various species)
- Family: Tortricidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae fold leaves and feed within the folded portions, causing defoliation and reduced photosynthesis.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on the upper surface of leaves.
- Pupation Site: Pupates within the folded leaf or nearby structures.
- Management: Regular monitoring and removal of folded leaves, pruning affected branches, the use of biological control agents like Trichogramma wasps, or the application of insecticides if necessary.
7. Bud Borer:
- Scientific Name: Anarsia spp. (various species)
- Family: Gelechiidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae bore into flower buds, causing bud drop and reduced fruit set.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on flower buds.
- Pupation Site: Pupates within the bud or nearby structures.
- Management: Pruning infested buds, removing and destroying affected flowers, the use of biological control agents like Trichogramma wasps, or the application of suitable insecticides if necessary.
Please note that specific species and geographical locations may have variations in their scientific names or pest management practices. It is always recommended to consult local agricultural experts or extension services for accurate and region-specific pest management strategies.
