Mites

When to act: pest threshold levels

Economic threshold levels given for sorghum: shoot fly – 1 egg per plant in 10% of plants in the first two weeks, or 10% dead hearts; mite – 5 mites per cm² of leaf; stem borer – 10% damage; grain midge – 5 per earhead; earhead caterpillar – 2 per earhead; earhead bug – 10 per earhead.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Crop protection, ETL, pp. 76–77

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Sterility mosaic

Rogue out (pull out and destroy) virus-infected plants in the early stages of growth. The disease is spread by a mite (Aceria cajani).

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Redgram – Disease management (Sterility mosaic), p. 131

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

When to act: pest threshold levels

Economic threshold levels given for cotton: thrips – 50 nymphs or adults per 50 leaves; aphids – 15% of plants infested; leafhopper – 50 nymphs or adults per 50 leaves; mite – 10 per cm² of leaf; spotted and spiny bollworms – 10% of shoots, squares or bolls infested; pink bollworm – 10% of fruiting parts infested; Helicoverpa (American bollworm) – one egg or one larva per plant; whiteflies – 5–10 per leaf; stem weevil – 10% infestation; tobacco cutworm – 8 egg masses per 100 m row.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cotton – Economic threshold levels, p. 272

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists many insecticides and acaricides for fruit borer, thrips, aphids and mites. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Choose a product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Chilli – Plant protection, pp. 75–77

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for cutworms and Helicoverpa, mealybug, bud borer, thrips and red spider mite. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Choose a product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Marigold (precision) – Plant protection, p. 258

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for epilachna beetle, whitefly, shoot and fruit borer, mites and leaf spot. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Vegetables are eaten fresh, so choose any product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Brinjal – Plant protection, pp. 64–66

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for fruit borers, leafhopper, aphids, mites, whiteflies, powdery mildew and nematodes. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Vegetables are eaten fresh, so choose any product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bhendi – Plant protection, pp. 70–71

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bottle gourd – Plant protection, pp. 90–91

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bitter gourd – Plant protection, pp. 93–94

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ribbed gourd – Plant protection, p. 88

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Snake gourd – Plant protection, pp. 85–86

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew, and lists red pumpkin beetle, leaf miner, thrips, whitefly and pumpkin caterpillar among the pests. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Pumpkin – Plant protection, p. 83

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ash gourd – Plant protection, pp. 96–97

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source

Shoot, panicle and capsule borer: pheromone traps at 12 per hectare. Mosaic (katte) disease, a serious disease, is spread by the banana aphid. The source also lists chemical sprays for thrips, aphids, hairy caterpillars, mites, damping off and capsule rot (azhukal) — ask your officer before using any.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cardamom – Plant protection, pp. 169–170

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical treatments for leaf miner, aphids, rust mite, fruit-sucking moth, shoot borer, citrus butterfly, psyllid, fruit fly, mealybugs, nematodes, twig blight, scab and canker, and growth-regulator sprays for fruit set. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Acid Lime – Plant protection, pp. 15–16

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

Yellowing of leaves has three main causes: iron deficiency, nematodes and root rot. The source lists chemical treatments for bud worm, blossom midge, red spider mite, nematodes, root rot and Alternaria leaf spot. It also lists Pseudomonas fluorescens: 25 g/m² to the soil and a 5 g/l foliar spray monthly after planting. Choose any chemical only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Malligai – Plant protection, pp. 250–251

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for chafer beetle, white grub, red scale, mealybug, thrips, aphids, leafhoppers, two-spotted mite, black spot and powdery mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Rose – Plant protection, pp. 248–249

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

Other pests and diseases: ask before you treat

The source also lists chemical treatments for black-headed caterpillar, eriophyid mite, basal stem rot, bud rot and stem bleeding, including root feeding and crown sprays. Some require not harvesting nuts for a period after treatment. Choose any treatment only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Coconut – Pest and disease management, pp. 215–219

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

Diseases and disorders: non-chemical measures in the source

Bud rot: scoop out infected tissue and treat with Bordeaux paste; remove and destroy affected palms and bunches. Foot rot: isolate affected palms with trenches, cut and destroy severely affected palms, pull out stumps and improve drainage. Stem breaking: wrap the green part of the stem exposed to the south-west sun. Yellow leaf disease: balanced nutrients with extra superphosphate, 1 kg lime and 12 kg organic manure per palm per year. Nematodes: Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis 10 g each. Chemical sprays for mites, spindle bug and leaf spot and Bordeaux drenches are also listed — ask your officer.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Arecanut – Plant protection, p. 224

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

Pests: non-chemical measures in the source

Stem borer: locate the frass mat at the base of the bush, remove it, and push a thick wire into the bore hole to kill the larva. Tea mosquito bug: monitor regularly and remove alternate hosts such as neem, cashew and guava nearby. Neem-based azadirachtin is listed for thrips and mites. Chemical options for scales, thrips, aphids, mites, tea mosquito bug and blister blight are also listed — ask your officer.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tea – Plant protection, p. 195

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05