Mango hoppers are the most serious pests of mango. Hoppers have small sized wedge shaped body. Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from tender leaves, buds, flowers, flower stalk and fruits. Severely infested leaves become curled and inflorescences get dried. In addition to direct damage, hoppers excrete honeydew on the infested plant parts which encourages the growth of fungal pathogen that form a sooty mould on the infested areas.
Favourable season
They are present throughout the year but are abundant only during the flowering season. The nymphs mature during June to October (feed and breed on the vegetative shoots) and January to March (breed on the flowers and inflorescence).
Egg laying Adult female lays about 200 eggs singly by penetrating them into the midrib of the young leaves, shoots, flower stalks and unopened flowers.
Eggs are dull white in colour initially which later turn into light brown. The incubation period varies from 4 to 8 days. After hatching from eggs, the nymphs are pinkish in colour which later turn into pale brown with prominent red bulged eyes along with long black coloured bristles on abdomen.
Nymphal period is 10-14 days. Female can be identified with the sickle shaped ovipositor. Adult longevity varies between three and four days.
Pest management
Avoid dense planting. Adopt resistant varieties and avoid susceptible varieties such as Baneshan, Chinnarasam, Bangalora, Khadar, Gaddemar, Rumani and Himayuddin ( Padiri, Neelam, Mulgoa, Peter and Sindura varieties are highly susceptible). Orchards must be kept clean by ploughing and removal of weeds.
Remove over crowded, overlapping and infected branches.
Spray Phosalone 35 EC 1.5ml/ litre (or) Carbaryl 50WP 3gm/litre (or) Monocrotophos 36 WSC 1.25 ml/ litre. Two rounds, first at the time of panicle emergence and the second two weeks later. Spray 3 per cent neem oil or neem seed kernel powder extract 5 per cent.
Source: hindu.com
Publication date: 12/18/2008
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