Status and control of mealy bugs on fruit crops in Punjab.
Sharma D. R., Arora P. K.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141 004, Punjab, India.
Journal of Insect Science (Ludhiana) 22 : 156-161
Abstract : Six mealy bug species, viz. Planococcus citri (Risso), Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell), Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) and Drosicha mangiferae (Green) were active on various fruit crops in Punjab. P. citri attacked citrus, guava, pomegranate, sapota, jamun, aonla and berfruit plants in the state. Its infestation was found on leaves, twigs and branches of all these fruit crops. P. citri also attacked the fruits of citrus and guava to an extent of traces to 25 per cent with maximum infestation (15-25%) on citrus and pomegranate. P. lilacinus had 5-15 per cent infestation on guava, pomegranate, sapota, jamun and aonla with 5 percent infestation on citrus. N. viridis attacked grapes, citrus and guava whereas F. virgata was mainly found on leaves, twigs and branches of guava during June-October to an extent of 5-25 per cent. D. mangiferae was the most serious mealy bug species of mango from February to April. Its attack was also observed on sapota and litchi. P. lilacinus, F. virgata, N. viridis and M. hirsutus are reported for the first time on fruit crops in Punjab. Chlorpyriphos (0.075%), acephate (0.075%), thiamethoxam (0.008%) and profenophos (0.075%) were found effective against mealy bugs on citrus, guava and grapes.