Each tea growing areas has its own distinctive pests and diseases though several of them might

have been recorded from more than one region. The number of pests and diseases associated with tea plants in an area depends on the length of time for which it is cultivated in that area. More than one thousand species of arthropod pests and nearly 400 pathogens are known to attack tea all over the world, though only about 300 species of insects and mites and 58 pathogenic fungi are recorded from tea in India. Crop loss due to pest and diseases varies between 15 and 20 percent. The magnitude of the losses are bound to be higher today in view of the increased production and productivity. Mites are serious pests of tea and they damage the green tissues of leaves, thereby reducing the photosynthetic surface, resulting in yield reduction. Infestation leads to discoloration of leaves. Most of the species occupy the under surface of the leaves but a few prefer the upper surface also. Pink mite : Acaphylla theae (Eriophyidae : Acarina) Important mite pest of tea in southern India, causes considerable damage During early stages of attack leaves turn pale and curl upwards Severe infestation leads to brownish discolouration Attack tender flush, assam jat and assam hybrids more susceptible Eggs shiny, globular, laid singly on the under surface of the leaves Hatches in 2-3 days, two nymphal stages, white in colour Population build up starts in November / December Attains peak in February / March, decline during May/June Life cycle completed in 6-9 days Control measures Monitor the population by regular field assessment, regulate the shade as per recommendation Allow the natural enemies (phytoseiid mites, predatory thrips and cecidomyiids) to build up Spray the spore suspension of the entomopathogen, Parcilomyces jumosotroscus (UPASI sthain) Mycomihc @ 1.5 kg/ha Spray neem formulations 0.03-0.15 % Aza @ 1000 ml/ha or 1% @ 200-400 ml/ha or 5% @ 100-200 ml/ha If mites persists spray formulations of sulphur 80 % @ 1000 g/ha or dicofol 18.5 EC @ 1000 ml/ha or ethion 50 EC @ 750 ml/ha. Usea spray volume of 300-350 l /ha - power sprayer, 400-450 l/ha -hand operated knapsack sprayer

Purple mite : Calacarus carinatus (Eriophyidae : Acarina) Leaves damaged are characterized by the coppery brown discoloration Presence of numerous white cast skins of the mites along with the live mites Prevalent on the under surface of mature leaves Adults are very small, spindle shaped, purple colour Fringed body with five longitudinal white waxy ridges on dorsal side, young ones moult three times Incubation period 3-5 days, two nymphal stages Developmental period 6-11 days

Control measures Same as for pink mites The pale mite : Acaphyllisa parindiae (Eriophyidae : Acarina) Seen on the under surface of the mature foliage Adult mite is pale white and dorsoventrally flattened Broadly rounded anterior end and tapering posterior end Incubation period 2-3 days, nymphal stages 4-6 days Development completed in 6-9 days

The scarlet mite : Brevipalpus australis (Tenuipalpidae : Acarina) Feeding leads to brown discolouration of leaves Symptoms of attack first appear on either side of the midrib and gradually spread to the entire leaf Severe infestation leads to defoliation Adult mite is scarlet red in colour and obovate in shape Reproduction is by parthenogenesis Eggs are bright red, elliptical, laid in clusters Incubation period is 7-10 days Developmental stages include three legged larva, protonymph and deutonymph Each developmental stage is followed by a quiescent stage Life cycle completed in 30-36 days Control measures

Same as for pink mites The Red spider mite : Oligonychus coffeae (Tetranychidae : Acarina) Important mite pest causes considerable damage during the cast few years Infestation starts along midrib and veins Spreads to the entire upper surface of leaves matured Due to feeding, the maintenance foliage turns ruddy bronze Infested fields distinct even from a distance Severe infestation leads to defoliation Adult female elliptical in shape, bright crimson anteriorly and dark pruplish brown posteriorlym Mites spin a web of silken threads on the leaf Eggs reddish, spherical, provided with a small filament Incubation period is 4-6 days, before hatching becomes light orange colour Developmental stages include six legged larva, protonymph and deutonymph Each developmental stage is followed by a quiescent stage Life cycle completed in 10-14 days Control measures Cultural control Monitoring the population by regular field assessment Regulation of shade as per recommendation Removal of alternate host plants (common weeds viz., Bidens, Ageratum, Conyza, Crassocephalum etc) Biological control Allow the natural enemies (phytoseiid mites and coccinellid beetles (lady bird beetles) to build up Spray the spore suspension of the entomopathogen, Verticillium lecanii @ 1.5 kg/ha in the evening hours when humidity is more

Chemical control Spray formulations of formulations of sulphur 80 % @ 1000 g/ha, lime sulphur @ 1: 40 If mite persists spray any one of the acaricides like dicofol 18.5 EC @ 1000 ml/ha, ethion 50 EC @ 750 ml/ha, fenpropathrin 10 E @ 500 ml/ha, combination of dicofol and ethion 500 ml each and dicofol and quinalphos @ 500 + 350 ml are effective against the pest Use a spray volume of 350-400 l /ha for power sprayer, 450-500 l/ha with hand operated knapsack sprayer Care must be taken to thoroughly drench the maintenance foliage

Chemicals should be applied only after plucking Yellow mite : Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Tarsonemidae : Acarina) Seen on young leaves, especially on the top two to three leaves and the bud Leaves become rough and brittle and corky lines or patches on the surface Females yellowish and bigger than the males Males carrying the "female nymphs" on their back Eggs large, obovate, flattened at the bottom Eggs hatches after 27-32 hours Life cycle completed in 3-5 days Control measures Same as for pink mites Tea mosquito bug: Helopeltis theivora (Miridae : Heteroptera : Hemiptera) Adults and nymphs punctures the plant tissues with needle like rostrum Suck the sap from buds, young leaves and tender stems Punctures appear as reddish brown spots Due to intensive feeding, leaves curl up, badly deformed, remain small Shoots dry up and crop loss is near total Adults black in colour, red thorax, black and white abdomen and greenish brown wings Active early mornings and late evenings, more in moist shaded areas Five nymphal stages, development completed in 15 - 17 days Seasonal prevalence largely dependent on weather factors Incidence of tea mosquito bug high during July to December and low during January to June Control measures Cultural control Monitoring the infestation level in the field Black plucking, weed control Removal of stalks containing eggs while plucking Biological control Allow egg parasitoid (Erythmelus helopeltidis) to build up Chemical control Apply endosulfan 35 EC @ 1000 ml/ha; quinalphos 25 EC @ 750 ml/ha; chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 750 ml/ha; fenthion 80 EC @ 200 ml/ha; quinalphos 25 EC + dichlorvos 76 EC @ 750+250 ml/ha Spray early mornings or evenings when these bugs are active

Lygus bug : Lygus sp. (Miridae : Heteroptera : Hemiptera) Adults and nymphs injure the tender plant parts Mouth parts are piercing and sucking type Feeding punctures appear as reddish brown necrotic spots Symptoms of damage are similar to that caused by Helopeltis attack Control measures Same as for Helopeltis Tea Aphid : Toxoptera aurantii (Aphidid ae : Homoptera : Hemiptera) Colonies seen on tender shoots of young plants and bushes recovering from pruning Adults and immature stages suck the sap from tender shoots Due to feeding leaves curl up and shoot growth is stunted Attack on young buds delays the recovery of pruned bushes Colonies of aphids consist of dark brow n alate and apterous adult females and nymphs Population is more from January to April and low during June / July Incidence is more in fields recovering from pruning

Control measures Cultural control Monitoring the population in the field with yellow pan water trap Maintenance of regular shade Manual removal of infested shoots Biological control Large extent naturally regulated by bio control agents Larvae of the syrphids and the coccinellids are major predators Three species of aphidiid parasitoids Conserve and augment these natural enemies in the field If pest persists spray neem formulations 0.03-0.15 % Aza @ 1000 ml/ha or 1% @ 200-400 ml/ha or 5% @ 100-200 ml/ha Spray the spore suspension of the entomopathogen, Paeceilomyces fumosoroseus @ 1.5 kg/ha in the evening hours when humidity is more Mealy bug: Nipaecoccus viridis (Pseudococcidae: Homoptera: Hemiptera) Feeds on the young shoots Severe infestation leads to defoliation

Adult female soft bodied, oval, flattened, dark brown 2.5-3.0 mm long, female lay a large number of eggs, hatches out in 7-10 days Developmental period ranges from 15-20 days Control measures Cultural control Monitoring the population Manual removal of infested branches Biological control Naturally regulated by the parasitoids Conserve and augment the natural enemies in the field Chemical control If pest persists spray Quinalphos 25 EC @ 500 ml/ha or dimethoate 20 EC @ 500 ml/ha Addition of non ionic wetting agent (wetting agent 5 ml in 10 lit water) will be helpful in achieving better control The Brown bug Saissetia coffeae (Coccidae : Homoptera : Hemiptera) Mature scales are: hemispherical in shape and deep brown in colour Occurs on leaves and tender stems Females are sedentary Adult males are winged forms Eggs are seen under the scale Crawlers disperse and attach themselves with tender plant parts after hatching Control measures Biological control Naturally regulated by the parasitoids such as Encyrtus infelix and Coccophagus cowperi Chemical control Same as for mealy bug The Green scale : Coccus viridis (Coccidae : Homoptera : Hemiptera) Observed on tender stems and leaves Females yellowish green in colour and oval in shape Reproduction by parthenogenesis, female lay 600 eggs Eggs hatch out immediately after deposition Three nymphal instars lasting 4-6 weeks Adults live for 2-5 months Control measures Chemical control Same as for mealy bug

Root mealy bug : Dysmicoccus sp. (Pseudococcidae : Homoptera : Hemiptera) Attack the roots of young tea plants in nurseries The Tea Jassid : Empoasca flavescens (Cicadellidae : Homoptera : Hemiptera) Adults and nymphs suck the sap from tender leaves Leaves curl downwards, gradually turn brown and dry up Adults are yellowish green and measure 2.5-2.75mm long Eggs inserted singly into the leaves Incubation period varies from 6-13 days Development completed in 8-15 days according to the temperature Control measures Cultural control Plucking removes a large part of eggs and nymphs Chemical control Same as for mealy bug Tea Thrips: Scirtothrips bispinosus (Thripidae : Thysanoptera) Prefers young leaves and buds Continuous feeding causes lacerations which appear as streaks Leaf surface becomes uneven and curled Feeding marks on the buds later appear as two parallel lines Attack more pronounced in the fields recovering from pruning Leads to inordinate delay in tipping and consequent crop loss Adults characterised by their brown abdomen, Incubation period is 6-8 days Egg hatch into larva, two larval instars, creamy white in color, prominent eyes Prepupa and pupae are found in the leaf litter and soil Adults emerge from the pupae after 3-5 days Weak fliers, dispersal and migration is helped by wind Build up starts by Nov/ Dec. reaches peak in Feb/ March or April / May Control measures Cultural control Monitoring the population in the field with yellow sticky traps Maintenance of regular shade Biological control Spray the spore suspension of the entomopathogen, Verticillium lecanii @ 1.5 kg/ha in the evening hours when humidity is more Allow predators (Anthocorids and predatory thrips )to build up Chemical control Apply quinalphos 25 EC @ 750 ml/ha; dimethoate 20 EC @ 500 ml/ha; endosulfan 35 EC @ 1000 ml/ha; quinalphos 25 EC + dichlorvos 76 EC @ 750+250 ml/ha; Spray should be targeted to the shoots on and below the plucking table, and also the side

Caterpillars Large group of insects injurious to tea Flushworms, leaf rollers and tea tortrix are Common Caterpillar peons Commonly seen in first year fields Make leaf nests by webbing the leaves, one above the other, feed from inside Attack confined to fields recovering from pruning Populations seen in large numbers during August to December

Flushworm : Cydia leucostoma (Tortricidae : Lepidoptera) Larva is brown in colour 1 cm long Enters into the bud by making a small hole, ties up the margins of growing bud and form a case Feeds on the upper epidermis of leaves Affected leaves become rough, crinkled and leathery Adult moth very small, less than 1cm long blackish brown in colour Eggs are pale yellow and laid singly on the undersurface of mature leaves Incubation period 4-5 days, five larval instars Larva takes 19-25 days for development inside the leaf case Pupal period varies from 8-10 days Moths were active during morning and evening hours

Control measures Cultural control Monitoring the population Manual removal of infested shoots Biological control Naturally regulated by the larval and pupal parasitoids Conserve and augment these natural enemies in the field If pest persists spray neem formulations 0.03-0.15 % Aza @ 1000 ml/ha or 1% @ 200-400 ml/ha or 5% @ 100-200 ml/ha Spray the spore suspension of the entomopathogen, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus @ 1.5 kg/ha in the evening hours when humidity is more Tea tortrix : Homona coffearia (Tortricide : Lepidoptera) Caterpillars make leaf nests by webbing the leaves, one above the other, using silken threads, and feed from inside Adult moth is brown coloured, bell shaped

Eggs are laid in masses, incubation period 6-8 days Larvae are greenish in colour and about 2 cm long Larval period last for 20-30 days Pupal period ranges from 9-15 days Control measures Same as for Flushworm

Control measures Same as for Flushworm Tea leaf roller: Caloptilia theivora (Gracillariidae : Lepidoptera) Young caterpillar first mines into the leaf Older larvae roll the leaves from tip downwards, feed from inside Normally, young leaves are preferred Adult moth is very small, with narrow wings Eggs are deposited on the undersurface of leaves

Larva hatch out in 2-3 days Larval period is 14-20 days Pupal duration 7-14 days

Control measures Same as for Flushworm The Pyralid leaf webber : Ereboenis saturata (Pyralidae : Lepidoptera) Larva feeds on older leaves from the upper surface Leaving the lower epidermis, the skeleton of leaves The caterpillar webbed together the individual leaves by silken thread Feed gregariously from inside the web Control measures Same as for Flushworm The Looper caterpillar : Buzura suppressaria (Geometridae : Lepidoptera)

Young caterpillars feed on young leaves and mature larvae prefer older leaves They made series of small holes along and a little away from the margin In severe cases of attack, tea bushes completely denuded Female deposits upto 200 eggs in batches on the tree trunks Incubation period 7-10 days On emergence, caterpillars suspend by silken threads and get dispersed by wind Larvae dark brown with pale greenish white lines on the back and side On the leaves, they move like leeches After 4-5 weeks, they pupated in the soil for a period of 3-4 weeks Pupa brownish, 2-2.5 cm long, life cycle completed in 8-10 weeks Control measures Same as for Flushworm Control measures Same as for Flushworm The Twig caterpillar : Ectropis bhurmitra (Geometridae : Lepidoptera) Young caterpillars feed on young leaves and mature larvae prefer older leaves In severe cases of attack, whole leaves are eaten off, leaving the midrib Adult large pale grey wings and slender body Eggs are bluish laid in clusters Covered by a mass of buff coloured hairs Incubation period is 7-10 days Mature larvae are dark brown 4.5 cm long While resting the larvae are closely resemble a dry twig Larval period is completed in 3-4 weeks and pupated in the soil Pupae are 1.5-2 cm long and reddish brown colour Life cycle is completed in about 5 weeks Control measures Same as for Flushworm The Blue striped nettle grub : Latoia lepida (Limacodidae : Lepidoptera) Feeds the maintenance foliage Grubs green in colour with three pale blue longitudinal stripes Full grown grubs measure 3-4 cm long Eggs are flattened, laid in clusters of 10-30

Personnel News Feedback

Single female lays more than 500 eggs Eggs hatch in 6-8 days The Saddle backed nettle grub : Thosea cervina (Limacodidae : Lepidoptera) Larvae feed on the leaf tissue on the under surface Severe cases of infestation completely strip off the leaves Adult moth is dark reddish brown Mature larvae are 4 cm long, greenish colour with three brown markings Central marking is saddle shaped, other two are look like pear Larvae pupate in the soil Pupae are dark brown, globular and resemble tea seeds Control measures Same as for Flushworm The Fringed nettle grub : Darna nararia (Limacodidae : Lepidoptera) Caterpillars scraping on the under surface of leaves During severe outbreak, the leaves are completely eaten off Pale brown adult moths are active at night Eggs are oval, flattened, shiny and laid singly on leaves Incubation period is about a week Larvae are about 1.5 cm and pale green in colour Larvae moult five times and larval duration is five weeks Pupated in the soil for three weeks Control measures Same as for Flushwormm

Publications UPASI Service

Monthly Data

Weather Tea Production

Tea Board TRA

IHBT

DTRC

The White banded nettle grub : Thosea recta Hampson (Limacodidae : Lepidoptera) Young larvae scrape off the under surface of the leaf Mature larvae eat large portions of leaves

Adult moths are grayish brown and measure about 2.5 cm across wings Larvae are green in colour with a silvery white band on the dorsal side Brown oval cocoons are seen attached to leaves or twigs Control measures Same as for caterpillars The Large jelly grub : Belippa lalaena (Limacodidae : Lepidoptera) Larvae eat off large portions of mature leaves Grubs are pale bluish, 1.5 cm long, rounded and resemble a bulb of jelly Larval period is about 2 months Cocoons are whitish, rounded and attached to bushes Control measures Same as for caterpillars The Large Faggot worm : Eumeta crameri (Psychidae : Lepidoptera) Infest the older leaves and bark In the pruned fields, damage will be severe Male moths are reddish brown with wings Male moths are reddish brown with wings Females are devoid of wings and legs Winged males are mate with grub like females Female lay 500 eggs inside the case Incubation period is 10-15 days Young caterpillars construct silken bags, covering with bark and dry twigs Larval duration is 9-10 months Before pupation, the bag is suspended from the bush The larva pupated inside the closed bag The male moth emerges out but the female remains inside the pupa Control measures Same as for Flushworm