Biology and control of Pauropsylla brevicornis Crawford, a pest of mango in Kerala.
Chandrika S., Nair M. R. G. K.
Author Affiliation: Department of Entomology, Agricultural College, Vellayani, Kerala, India.
Indian Journal of Entomology 33 : 360-362
Abstract : Since 1970, Microceropsylla (Pauropsylla) brevicornis (D.L. Crawford) has become an important pest of mango in Kerala, India. All stages and the biology of the Psyllid are briefly described from observations with potted plants. The eggs were distributed in the tissues of the young leaves, singly in a uniform pattern, and hatched in 8-9 days. There were five nymphal instars, lasting 4-5, 3-4, 6-7, 4-5 and 2-3 days, respectively. The nymphs clustered on the tender stems, the leaf stalks and the veins. The infested stalks withered and became discoloured and the leaves drooped and dried up. Honeydew excreted by the nymphs favoured the growth of sooty mould on the leaves. Six insecticides in emulsion sprays (0.2% carbaryl, 0.01% dimethoate, 0.04% endrin, 0.1% malathion, 0.04% parathion and 0.05% phosphamidon) were tested against the Psyllid in the field, and all afforded effective control within a week.