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Sci Tech
Spindle bug menace in areca nut
Spindle bug, carvalhoia arecae, is one of the important pests of areca nut. Large colonies of this bug suck the sap from the leaves. Especially, these bugs feed on the top most region of the leaf axils by injecting toxic saliva. As a result it produces elongated necrotic lesions, shredding and short holes on the leaves.
Stunted growth
When the leaves are opened, the affected portion drops off, causing holes in the leaf. All such injuries result in stunted growth of the palm and reduction in yield. The peak period of attack is from June-October and during August – September.
The adult bugs are black and red in colour. The eggs are laid on the tender tissues of the unopened leaves and spindles.
Life cycle
The eggs hatch in about 9 days. The nymphs are green and reddish brown in colour and usually found in patches. The life cycle is completed in about 45 days
Spraying fish oil resin soap at 1kg in 80 lt of water on the crown and application of 3 percent neem oil suspension or 5 per cent seed kernel extract are found effective to control this pest.
Drenching with lindane (1.3 D) at 2.5 g /lt of water on the spindles or placing 2g of phorate at 10g/palm in perforated polybags on the top most leaf axils is also recommended.
Spraying 0.05 percent dimethoate, phosphamidon or monocrotophos on the spindles and young fronds is a definite answer to the problem.
The spray should be repeated at 30-35 days interval if the pest incidence is continuous.
Cockroaches and spiders are found to feed on the eggs and nymphs and must be encouraged and conserved.
J. JAYARAJ
& S. BALAKRISHNAN
Horticultural Research Station, Thadiyankudisai
Perumparai,
Dindigul, Tamil Nadu
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