Crop Insect Pest : Plantation crops :Tea

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Common name: Tea S.N: Camellia sinensis Family: Camelliaceae Major pests

Major insect pests of Tea Tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Looper cater pillar, Biston supressaria Lobster Caterpillar, Neostauropus alternus Flush worm, Cydia leuocostoma Tea tortix, Homona coffearia Shot hole borer, Envallacea fornicatus Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management

Red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Scarlet mite, Brevipalpus californicus Purple mite, Calacarus carinatus Pink mite (or) Orange mite, Acaphylla theae Yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus Thrips, Scirtothrips bispinosus Aphid, Toxoptera aurantii 1. Tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora

Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management Symptoms Identification Management

It is considered to be a serious pest of a tea. The damage more in most shaded areas. Symptoms of damage

Adults and nymphs suck the sap from buds, young leaves and tender stems Puncturing the plant tissues with their needle like rostrum and inject toxic saliva. Punctures appear as reddish brown spots. Leaves curl up, badly deformed and shoots dry up.

Identification of the pest

Adult - black colour with red thorax, black and white abdomen and greenish brown wings.

Management

Spray endosulfan (or) phosalone (or) monocrotophos 2ml / lit of water for better control.

Adult 2. Looper cater pillar, Biston supressaria Symptoms of damage

Young caterpillars feed on the tender leaves - making punctures

Mature larvae prefer older leaves. Grown up larvae feed entire leaf Severe infestation - tea bushes are completely denuded.

Identification of the pest

Larva - dark brown with pale yellowish white lines on the back and sides. Adult - grey wings speckled with light brown or black markings and irregular wavy yellow lines.

Larva Management

Spray NSKE 5% (or) neem based oil formulations 3% Spray any one of the following insecticides endosulfan (or) phosalone (or) chlorpyriphos (or) fenitrothion (or) malathion 2ml/lit.

3. Lobster Caterpillar, Neostauropus alternus Symptoms of damage

Two or three caterpillars can completely devour all the leaves from a small plant in two or three days.

Identification of the pest

Eggs are white and finely sculptured Larva black colour, resembles on dry leave Adult - Greyish white wings and reddish brown spots on the forewings.

Management

Hand collection and destruction Severe infestation - spray insecticide (endosufan 2ml/l).

4. Flush worm, Cydia leuocostoma Symptoms of damage

Caterpillar ties up the margin of tender leaves and forms a case enclosing the bud. Feed on the upper epidermis of leaves. Affected leaves - rough, crinkled and leathery. Bud - Shoot growth is arrested.

Identification of the pest

Eggs are pale yellow and lay singly on the under surface of mature leaves Larva brown in colour. Adult is very small moth, blackish brown in colour.

Adult Management

Spray endosulfan or chlorpyriphos or fenitrothion 2 ml/lit.

5. Tea tortix, Homona coffearia Symptoms of damage

Caterpillars make leaf nests by webbing the leaves using silken threads Feed from inside the leaf nest. Young larvae prefer tender leaves Older larvae are seen in mature leaves. Identification of the pest

Larva - green in colour Pupae - initially green colour and turns to reddish brown Adult - brown coloured and bell shaped in outline.

Management

Adult, Tea tortix

Spray endosulfan or chlorpyriphos or fenitrothion 2 ml/lit.

6. Shot hole borer, Envallacea fornicatus Symptoms of damage

Presence of round shot holes in primary branches. The attack results in mortality of buds and dieback symptoms in branches. Presence of circular or longitudinal tunnels inside the stem.

Identification of the pest

Female - small, black colour and long beetle.

Male is half the size of female, devoid of wings.

Management

Remove and destroy affected twigs. Spray lindane 20 EC 2 ml/lit using hand sprayer immediately after pruning.

7. Tea Mites a) Red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae b) Scarlet mite, Brevipalpus californicus c) Purple mite, Calacarus carinatus d) Pink mite (or) Orange mite, Acaphylla theae e) Yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus a) Red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae

Symptoms of damage

Infest the upper surface of mature leaves. Infestation starts along midrib and veins and spreads to the entire upper surface of leaves. Affected leaves - bronzed, dry and crumpled.

Identification of the pest

Eggs are reddish in colour and spherical in shape Adult - female is elliptical in shape bright crimson anteriorly and dark puplish brown posteriorly.

Adult,Red spider mite b) Scarlet mite, Brevipalpus californicus

Symptoms of damage:

Mites congregate on the under surface of mature tea leaves Feeding by scarlet mites leads to brown discolouration of leaves.

Identification of the pest

Adult, Scarlet mite c) Purple mite, Calacarus carinatus

Eggs - are bright red colour and elliptical in shape Adult - scarlet red in colour and ovate in shape.

This is a major pest in South India.

Symptoms of damage

Mites feed on the under surface of mature leaves. Assam type of tea - more susceptible to purple mite. Damaged leaves - coppery brown discolouration

Coppery brown discolouration

Identification of the pest

Adult - very small, spindle shaped and dark puple in colour Five longitudinal white waxy ridges on the dorsal side.

Adult d) Pink mite (or) Orange mite, Acaphylla theae

It is an important mite in India.

Symptoms of damage

Mites are found on the under surface (abaxial) of young leaves. Affected leaves turn pale and upward curling. In severe infestation, leaves become leathery and brown. Damage - restricted to top 10 15 cm of tender leaves. Assam type of tea is susceptible.

Identification of the pest

Adult - very minute, orange coloured and carrot shaped.

e) Yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus

Yellow mite is a polyphagous pest attacking tomato, cinchona, cotton, pulses, potato, chillies etc. Symptoms of attack and nature of damage

Mite is seen on young leaves especially the top two to three leaves and the bud. Affected leaves become rough and brittle and corky lines Downward curling Intermodes get shortened, Shoots - stunted and deformed.

Downward curling of leaves Identification of the pest

Male mites are small and white to pale yellow in colour. Females are yellowish and bigger than the males. Yellow mites are active and fast moving mite.

Eggs Management

Adult

Spray dicofol 18EC 2 ml/lit or ethion 50 EC 2 ml/lit or monocrotophos 1ml/lit Application of wettable sulphur 80 WP 2g/lit using hand operated sprayer.

8. Thrips, Scirtothrips bispinosus Symptoms of damage

Thrips prefer young leaves and buds. Leaf surface becomes uneven, curled and matty. Feeding marks on the unopened buds - parallel brown lines on the leaves.

Identification of the pest

Adults - brown abdomen.

Management

Spray dimethoate 30 EC (or) chlorpyriphos 20 EC 2 ml/lit.

9. Aphid, Toxoptera aurantii Symptoms of damage

Pruning - colonies of aphids are seen on tender shoots of tea immidiately after pruningLeaves curl up and shoot growth is stunted. Aphids are attended by ants. Honey dew secreted development of sooty moulds.

Identification of the pest

Dark brown aphids

Management

Collect and destroy the infested plant parts Spray dimethoate 30 EC (or) chlorpyriphos 20 EC 2 ml/lit. Spray endosulfan (or) phosalone 2 ml/lit.

Source

Pest management of horticultural crops

The tea growing environment in the North East India is conducive to a large number of pests and diseases. Detail studies have been made at Tocklai on the biology and control of tea pests during the last decades. Adequate and timely measures are to be taken to reduce crop loss due to pests and diseases. Pesticides invariably leave residues and their indiscriminate use may render the teas unsuitable for consumption and trade. With ever growing concern over pesticide residues and the rising costs of the pesticides, the concept of pest control has undergone radical changes. Therefore, monitoring of pests for their early detection, integrated management of pests (IPM) and discretion on the choice of pesticides to be used on tea is of utmost importance.

The major pests, their site of attack on the tea plant, the period of occurrence in North East India, their mode of dispersal and some of the alternate hosts are shown in the following table. Major tea pests, site of attack and time of occurrence

Pests

Site of attack / nature of damage Moths Caterpillar Mature larva : entire leaf eaten away. Defoliation Pupa Moths Caterpillar

Life stages / time of occurrence Mar-Apr/May-Jun/JulAug/Oct-Nov Mar-Apr/May-Jun/ Jul - Aug/Oct- Nov Apr-May/Jun-Jul/AugSep/Oct-Nov Feb-Mar/May/ Jul/AugOct Mar-Apr/May-Jun/Jul Aug - Sep- Oct Apr-May/Jul-AugSep/Oct- Nov Feb-Mar/May/ Jul/AugOct Mar-Apr/May- Jun/JulAug /Sep-Oct Jan - May

A) Chewing pests Bunch caterpillar Young larva : young leaf, (Andraca bipunctata) epidermis removed

Looper caterpillar (Buzura suppresseria)

Young larva : Small holes on margins of young leaf

Mature larva : Whole leaf eaten Pupa away. Defoliation Under surface of mature leaf, Red slug caterpillar bark of young stem eaten away. Moth (Eterusia magnifica) Defoliation Caterpillar Flush worm (Lespeyrasia leucostoma) B) Sucking Pests Young leaves/buds/tender stems; Develop light to dark Helopeltis brown transluscent (Helopeltis theivora) irregular sucking spots/shoot growth retarded Young leaves/tender stems; Develop dark brown Jassid discoloration of leaf margin (Empoasca (Rim blight)/leaf curve inward flavescence) mid rib and veins turn brownish/ Shoot growth retarded. Adult Nymphs Egg Pluckable shoots / leaves tied up in nest formation

Caterpillar Moth

Feb-Nov

Adult Nymphs Egg

Feb-Jul

Thrips Unopened or partly opened (Scirtothrips dorsalis) buds/young succulent leaves; Aphids Buds/tender stems/young (Toxoptera aurantil) leaves C. Mite Pests Upper surface of young/ Red spider mite mature leaves. Brownish (Oligonychus coffeae) discoloration/defoliation. Under surface of leaf. Brownish discoloration Scarlet mite along the mid rib/veins/ (Brevipalpus petiole of leaf/splits on phoenicis) bark / defoliation of young tea. Upper surface of leaf. Pink and Purple mite Pinkish/ copperish (Acaphylla theae and discoloration on Calacarus carinatus) leaf/veins

Adult Nymphs Egg Adult/nymph

Jan-Jul Jan-Apr

Whole year

Feb-Nov

Feb-Nov

Mode of dispersal of some major tea pests

Red spider mite Scarlet mite Bunch caterpillar Looper caterpillar Red slug caterpillar Nettle grub Flush worm Thrips Helopeltis Mode of dispersal Wind, Pluckers, Cattles, Weed host Weed host Bush to bush migration of caterpillar, Migration of moths Migration from shade trees, Migration of moths Migration of caterpillar through ground, Migration of moths Bush to bush migration of caterpillar, Migration of moths Shoot to shoot migration of caterpillar, Migration of moths Migration of adults Migration of adults

Important weed hosts of tea pests in North East India

Weed hosts Ageratum conizoides Borreria hispida Commelina bengalensis Pests Root knot nematode Root knot nematode and scarlet mite Root knot nematode and scarlet mite

Clerodendron infortunatum Malastoma malabethricum Mikania micrantha Pouzolzia indica Urena lohata Oxalis corymbosa O. acetocella

Scarlet mite Helopeltis, Scarlet mite and Red spider mite Helopeltis Root knot nematode and scarlet mite Red spider mite Root knot nematode Helopeltis

Cultural operations :
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Bush sanitation/Cold weather practices Ground sanitation Balanced nutrition Soil rehabilitation prior to replanting. Improved drainage Proper shade management Soil amelioration

Mechanical and Physical Methods :

1. Hand collection 2. Light trapping

Pests Bunch caterpillar

Life stages Moths Caterpillar Pupa

Mechanical / cultural control methods Light trapping/Hand collection Hand collection (from soil around tea bush/shade tree) Hand collection (from shade tree) Hand collection (from tea/around collar) Hand collection/Light trapping Used engine oil barrier on ground Hand collection (from stems/forks/dryfallen leaves) Hand collection in morning and evening. Hand plucking and removal of infested shoots. Hand collection Soil stirring /caustic washing Removing lichens & mosses

Looper caterpillar Red slug caterpillar

Moths Caterpillar Pupa Moth Caterpillar Pupa

Helopeltis

Adult Nymphs Egg

Cockchafer Thrips

Adult Pupa & Nymphs

Aphids Tea seed bugs Termites

Egg Adult & Nymph Adult & Nymphs Queens and workers/nest

Hard plucking Removal of infested shoots Hand collection Digging out/killing/ destruction by using insecticides

Regulatory Methods :
Only healthy, pest and disease free planting materials should be procured/used.

Biological methods :
Biological methods of control involve the conservation, preservation and introduction of natural enemies of tea pests, like predators, parasitoids and pathogens for suppression of pests within tolerable levels. More than one hundred indigenous natural enemies (predators, parasitoids and pathogens) have been recorded against various tea pests. A list the identified natural enemies against their respective hosts are given in the table below:

Some common indigenous natural enemies of major tea pests

Tea pests Red spider mite Scarlet, Pink & Purple mite Bunch caterpillar Looper caterpillar Red slug caterpillar Nettle grub Flush worm Aphid Helopeltis Natural enemies Stethorus gilvifrons, Agistemus hystrix Chrysoperla carnea (P) Agistemus hystrix (P) Cantheconidia furcillata, (P), Dipterus fly (Ps) Apanteles sp. (Ps), Bacillus thuringiensis (Pth) C. furcillata (P), Apanteles sp. (Ps) C. fucillata (P) Apanteles sp. (Ps) Leis dimidiata, Menocillus sexmaculatusw, Verania vincta, Syrphid (P) C. carnea, Oxyopes sp. (P), Mermethid worms (Ps)

(P : Predator, Ps : Parasitoid, Pth : Pathogen)

Pesticide can have detrimental effects on natural enemies thereby disturbing the bio-diversity and the balance in natural ecosystem. It is therefore necessary that the indigenous predators, parasitoids and pathogens are adequately preserved. Less toxic, selective pesticides should be preferred as much as possible, to keep the natural enemies active in tea areas.

Chemical control & Choice of Pesticides

Different groups of synthetic organic insecticides have been recommended against major and minor pests in tea after regular bioassay tests and multilocation field screenings for efficacy and residues. The maximum permissible residue limits for pesticides in tea fixed by different international regulatory bodies have restricted the choice of pesticides.

Pesticides Dicofol Ethion Endosulfan Deltamethrin Cypermethrin Glyphosate Chlorpyriphos Dimethoate Profenophos Propargite 2,4-D Amine Salt Fenitrothion Simazine Copper Acephate Fenvelerate Paraquat Malathion Monocrotophos Quinalphos Diflubenzuron Cartap Lindane Formothion

FAO/WHO 5 7 30 10 20 0.1 0.5 20 -

EPA 45 10 24 20 -

Cod-ex 8 5 30 10 -

G.L. Japan 2 2 30 10 20 20 0.5 3 0.1 0.1 20 0.2 -

E.C. 20 3 30 5 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 5 0.1 1 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.05

Russia 0.2 0.5 0.5 100 -

TRA has organized awareness campaigns among the tea planters of this region through seminars and conferences highlighting the need for safer plant protection schedules for minimizing residues so that tea continues to be a health drink. TRA has also generated data on residues of commonly used pesticides in tea through extensive supervised field trials. A number of invoice tea samples have also been monitored for pesticide residues recently, which reveals that most of the samples have residues well below the MRL limits.

Steps to minimize pesticide residues in tea

Monitoring and early detection of pests Integrated pest management Use of safer pesticides, botanicals and bioagents Avoid repeated spraying of the same pesticide Allow sufficient waiting period between spraying of pesticides and plucking Spot treatment

Pesticides approved for use in flushing and non-flushing seasons

Season Flushing/ Plucking Season (Mid February to November) Pesticides Endosulfan Dicofol Sulphur Alphamethrin Neem formulations (Azadirachtin) Etofenprox Cartap hydrochloride Non- flushing season (December to Mid February) Thiometon *Acephate Dimethoate Fenitrothion Fenvalerate Fluvalinate *Chlorpyriphos Cypermethrin *Quinalphos Formothion Mode of action Contact and stomach Contact Protective Contact and stomach Disrupt insect moulting/growth antifeedant action Contact and stomach Systemic with contact and stomach Systemic with contact and stomach Systemic with contact and stomach Systemic with contact and stomach Contact and stomach Contact and stomach Contact and stomach Contact and stomach and vapour Systemic with contact and stomach Contact and stomach Contact and stomach