tea insect

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 Symptoms Identification Management

Looper cater pillar, Biston supressaria Symptoms Identification Management

Lobster Caterpillar, Neostauropus alternus Symptoms Identification Management

Flush worm, Cydia leuocostoma Symptoms Identification Management

Tea tortix, Homona coffearia Symptoms Identification Management

Shot hole borer, Envallacea fornicatus Symptoms Identification Management

Red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Symptoms Identification Management

Scarlet mite, Brevipalpus californicus Symptoms Identification Management

Purple mite, Calacarus carinatus Symptoms Identification Management

Pink mite (or) Orange mite, Acaphylla theae Symptoms Identification Management

Yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus Symptoms Identification Management

Thrips, Scirtothrips bispinosus Symptoms Identification Management

Aphid, Toxoptera aurantii Symptoms Identification Management

1. Tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora

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.


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.

LarvaManagement

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.


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.


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 coffeariaSymptoms 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.


Larva - green in colour Pupae - initially green colour and turns to reddish

brown Adult - brown coloured and bell shaped in outline.

Management

Spray endosulfan or chlorpyriphos or fenitrothion 2 ml/lit.Adult, Tea tortix

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.


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 coffeaeb) Scarlet mite, Brevipalpus californicusc) Purple mite, Calacarus carinatusd) 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.


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.


Eggs - are bright red colour and elliptical in shape

Adult - scarlet red in colour and ovate in shape.Adult, Scarlet mite

c) Purple mite, Calacarus carinatus

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


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.


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


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 AdultManagement

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.


Adults - brown abdomen.

Management

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

9. Aphid, Toxoptera aurantiiSymptoms 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.


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

PestsSite of attack / nature of damage

Life stages / time of occurrence

A) Chewing pestsBunch caterpillar(Andraca bipunctata)

Young larva : young leaf,epidermis removed

MothsMar-Apr/May-Jun/Jul- Aug/Oct-Nov

CaterpillarMar-Apr/May-Jun/ Jul - Aug/Oct- Nov

Mature larva : entire leaf eaten away. Defoliation

PupaApr-May/Jun-Jul/Aug-Sep/Oct-Nov

Looper caterpillar(Buzura suppresseria)

Young larva : Small holes on margins of young leaf

MothsFeb-Mar/May/ Jul/Aug-Oct

CaterpillarMar-Apr/May-Jun/Jul -Aug - Sep- Oct

Mature larva : Whole leaf eaten away. Defoliation

PupaApr-May/Jul-Aug-Sep/Oct- Nov

Red slug caterpillar(Eterusia magnifica)

Under surface of mature leaf, bark of young stem eaten away. Defoliation

MothFeb-Mar/May/ Jul/Aug-Oct

CaterpillarMar-Apr/May- Jun/Jul- Aug/Sep-Oct

Flush worm (Lespeyrasia leucostoma)

Pluckable shoots /leaves tied up in nestformation

CaterpillarMoth

Jan - May

B) Sucking Pests

Helopeltis(Helopeltis theivora)

Young leaves/buds/tender stems; Develop light to dark brown transluscentirregular sucking spots/shoot growth retarded

AdultNymphsEgg

Feb-Nov

Jassid(Empoasca flavescence)

Young leaves/tender stems;Develop dark brown discoloration of leaf margin(Rim blight)/leaf curve inwardmid rib and veins turn brownish/Shoot growth retarded.

AdultNymphsEgg

Feb-Jul

Thrips(Scirtothrips dorsalis)

Unopened or partly opened buds/young succulent leaves;

AdultNymphsEgg

Jan-Jul

Aphids(Toxoptera aurantil)

Buds/tender stems/young leaves

Adult/nymph Jan-Apr

C. Mite PestsRed spider mite(Oligonychus coffeae)

Upper surface of young/ mature leaves. Brownishdiscoloration/defoliation.

Whole year

Scarlet mite(Brevipalpus phoenicis)

Under surface of leaf.Brownish discoloration along the mid rib/veins/petiole of leaf/splits on bark / defoliation of young tea.

Feb-Nov

Pink and Purple mite(Acaphylla theae andCalacarus carinatus)

Upper surface of leaf.Pinkish/ copperish discoloration onleaf/veins

Feb-Nov

Mode of dispersal of some major tea pests

Mode of dispersalRed spider mite Wind, Pluckers, Cattles, Weed hostScarlet mite Weed hostBunch caterpillar Bush to bush migration of caterpillar, Migration of mothsLooper caterpillar Migration from shade trees, Migration of moths

Red slug caterpillarMigration of caterpillar through ground, Migration of moths

Nettle grub Bush to bush migration of caterpillar, Migration of mothsFlush worm Shoot to shoot migration of caterpillar, Migration of mothsThrips Migration of adultsHelopeltis Migration of adults

Important weed hosts of tea pests in North East India

Weed hosts PestsAgeratum conizoides Root knot nematodeBorreria hispida Root knot nematode and scarlet miteCommelina bengalensis Root knot nematode and scarlet miteClerodendron infortunatum Scarlet miteMalastoma malabethricum Helopeltis, Scarlet mite and Red spider mite

Mikania micrantha HelopeltisPouzolzia indica Root knot nematode and scarlet miteUrena lohata Red spider miteOxalis corymbosa Root knot nematodeO. acetocella Helopeltis

Cultural operations :

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

Mechanical and Physical Methods :

1. Hand collection 2. Light trapping

Pests Life stages Mechanical / cultural control methods

Bunch caterpillarMothsCaterpillar

Light trapping/Hand collection

PupaHand collection (from soil around tea bush/shade tree)

Looper caterpillarMothsCaterpillar

Hand collection (from shade tree)

Pupa Hand collection (from tea/around collar)Red slug caterpillar Moth Hand collection/Light trapping

Caterpillar Used engine oil barrier on ground

PupaHand collection (from stems/forks/dryfallen leaves)

Helopeltis Adult Hand collection in morning and evening.Nymphs

EggHand plucking and removal of infested shoots.

Cockchafer Adult Hand collectionThrips Pupa & Soil stirring /caustic washing

Nymphs Removing lichens & mossesEgg Hard plucking

AphidsAdult &Nymph

Removal of infested shoots

Tea seed bugsAdult &Nymphs

Hand collection

TermitesQueens andworkers/nest

Digging out/killing/ destruction by usinginsecticides

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 Natural enemies

Red spider miteStethorus gilvifrons, Agistemus hystrixChrysoperla carnea (P)

Scarlet, Pink & Purple mite

Agistemus hystrix (P)

Bunch caterpillar Cantheconidia furcillata, (P), Dipterus fly (Ps)Looper caterpillar Apanteles sp. (Ps), Bacillus thuringiensis (Pth)Red slug caterpillar C. furcillata (P), Apanteles sp. (Ps)Nettle grub C. fucillata (P)Flush worm Apanteles sp. (Ps)

AphidLeis dimidiata, Menocillus sexmaculatusw, Verania vincta, Syrphid (P)

Helopeltis 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 FAO/WHO EPA Cod-ex G.L. Japan E.C. RussiaDicofol 5 45 8 2 - 20 -Ethion 7 10 5 2 - 3 -Endosulfan 30 24 30 30 - 30 -Deltamethrin 10 - 10 - 10 5 -Cypermethrin 20 20 - 20 20 0.5 -Glyphosate - - - - 0.5 0.1 -Chlorpyriphos 0.1 - - - 3 0.1 -Dimethoate - - - - - 0.2 -Profenophos - - - - - 0.1 0.2Propargite - - - - - 5 -2,4-D Amine Salt - - - - - - 0.5Fenitrothion 0.5 - - - - - -Simazine - - - - - - 0.5Copper - - - - - - 100Acephate - - - 0.1 - 0.1 -Fenvelerate - - - - - 1 -Paraquat - - - - - 0.1 -Malathion - - - - - 0.5 -Monocrotophos - - - - - 0.1 -Quinalphos - - - 0.1 - 0.1 -Diflubenzuron - - - - 20 - -Cartap 20 - - - - 0.1 -Lindane - - - 0.2 - 0.2 -Formothion - - - - - 0.05 -

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 Pesticides Mode of actionFlushing/ Plucking Season

Endosulfan Contact and stomach

(Mid February to November)

Dicofol Contact

Sulphur ProtectiveAlphamethrin Contact and stomachNeem formulations Disrupt insect moulting/growth(Azadirachtin) antifeedant actionEtofenprox Contact and stomachCartap hydrochloride Systemic with contact and stomach

Non- flushing season Thiometon Systemic with contact and stomach(December to Mid February)

*Acephate Systemic with contact and stomach

Dimethoate Systemic with contact and stomachFenitrothion Contact and stomachFenvalerate Contact and stomachFluvalinate Contact and stomach*Chlorpyriphos Contact and stomach and vapourCypermethrin Systemic with contact and stomach*Quinalphos Contact and stomachFormothion Contact and stomach

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