Here are the scientific names, family, order, damaging stage, nature of damage, oviposition, pupation site, and management strategies for the pests that affect tea trees:
1. Tea Green Leafhopper:
- Scientific Name: Empoasca vitis
- Family: Cicadellidae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: Sucking sap from leaves, causing yellowing, stunting, and curling of leaves. They also excrete honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid in the midribs and veins of tea leaves.
- Pupation Site: N/A (They do not form pupae)
- Management: Biological control using natural enemies like predatory insects, proper field hygiene, monitoring, and selective application of insecticides.
2. Tea Mosquito Bug:
- Scientific Name: Helopeltis theivora
- Family: Miridae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: Sucking sap from young shoots and developing buds, causing withering, necrosis, and shedding of leaves. They also cause scarring on mature leaves.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on tender parts of the plant, such as young shoots, buds, and petioles.
- Pupation Site: N/A (They do not form pupae)
- Management: Pruning infested shoots, handpicking of bugs, biological control using natural enemies like predatory insects, proper field hygiene, and selective application of insecticides.
3. Mites (Red Spider Mite and Yellow Mite):
- Scientific Name: Tetranychus species (Red Spider Mite), Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Yellow Mite)
- Family: Tetranychidae (Red Spider Mite), Tarsonemidae (Yellow Mite)
- Order: Trombidiformes
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: Sucking sap from leaves, causing yellowing, bronzing, stippling, and defoliation. They also produce webbing, which affects the appearance of the plants.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves, along the veins.
- Pupation Site: N/A (They do not form pupae)
- Management: Biological control using predatory mites, maintaining proper humidity levels, avoiding excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, pruning infested leaves, and selective application of acaricides.
