Though the pest breeds throughout the year, it usually occurs in higher numbers during spring and summer. This pest can also build up more rapidly during November-February synchronizing with the flowering of mango trees. During off seasons, they occur in small numbers inside the barks or leaves.

Egg-laying starts from end of January or early February and continues up to March. Adult female hoppers can lay about 200 eggs singly inside the flower buds and inflorescence stalks.

Leaf hoppers are sap suckers. Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from tender shoots, leaves and inflorescence.

The hoppers produce honeydew while feeding which promotes the growth of a fungus commonly known as sooty mould.

The sooty mould interferes with the process of photosynthesis leading to reduction in the yield.

March is the crucial time to commence regular monitoring, especially in commercial orchards.

Since hopper populations build up very rapidly, the trees should be treated as soon as they are detected. Regular monitoring will enable detection of early infestations and treatment of the affected trees. The following steps help manage the pest:

— Installation of light traps at 1 trap/hectare during early stages of flower development is found effective.

—Avoid water logging, damp conditions and overcrowding of trees because shade and high humidity favour hopper multiplication. Prune the crowded branches to allow light penetration.

— Spray the trees with dimethoate 30 EC at 1.7ml per litre or carbaryl 50 WP at 4gms per litre. First spray should be initiated at the early stage of panicle formation. The spray has to be repeated when the fruits reach marble stage.

Department of Entomology
University of Agricultural Sciences
Bangalore

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