Control of mango inflorescence hopper
Three species of hoppers are found to feed on the inflorescence of mango. Idioscpus niveosparus, I. clypealis and Adisura atkinsoni.
The hoppers are found in abundance during Nov-Feb synchronizing with the flowering of mango trees.
During the remaining part of the year they occur in small numbers inside barks or on leaves of mango.
On non flowering trees, leafhopper populations are quite low and rather difficult to detect. The pests feed on vegetative flush tissue and lay eggs on the underside of the midribs of young leaves.
Both the nymphs and adults suck the sap from the inflorescence in large numbers causing withering and shedding of lower buds and flowers. Night temperature with high humidity during morning favours the multiplication of hoppers.
Life cycle
The female hopper inserts the eggs into flower buds and the inflorescence stalk.
The nymphs hatch in 4-7 days. Life cycle is completed in 12-17 days and during a flowering season two or more broods of the pest may occur.
Management practices
— Prune crowded branches to discourage hoppers from staying on the tree.
— Proper field sanitation such as weeding, removal of plant debris after harvest and avoiding water logged or damp conditions help to eliminate the possible breeding sites of adult hoppers.
— Installation of one light trap per hectare during early stages of flower development to attract and kill adults which are ready to lay eggs.
— Spraying two rounds of acephate 75 SP at 1gm per litre or phasolone 35 EC at 1.5 ml per litre or carbaryl 50 WP 2gm per litre.
First at the time of panicle emergence and the second two weeks after first spray.
S. MANISEGARAN
S. BALASUBRAMANIAN
S. NATARAJAN
Horticultural College and Research Institute
Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu
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