Pests and diseases

Tea mosquito bug

టీ దోమ

Insects and mites

The advice below comes from each crop's guide — every item shows its source, region and date. It is pending expert review; ask your local officer whether it suits your area.

Guava

  • Pests and nematodes: non-chemical measures

    Mealybug: release Cryptolaemus predatory beetles at 10 per tree. Fruit fly: collect and destroy fallen fruits and install methyl eugenol traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is listed against tea mosquito bug and fruit fly. Root-knot nematode spreads through infested planting material: use air layers and sterilised or soil-less media (vermiculite, coir pith) in the nursery, grow marigold around the basin, and apply Purpureocillium lilacinum 60 g with 5 kg FYM and 250 g neem cake per tree once in three months.

    Pending expert review
    Source
    Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Guava – Plant protection (pests, nematodes), p. 29
    Region
    Tamil Nadu
    Last updated
    2026-11-04

  • Chemical sprays: ask before you spray

    The source lists chemical sprays for tea mosquito bug, fruit fly, red rust and fruit rots. Fruits 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.

    Pending expert review
    Source
    Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Guava – Plant protection, p. 29
    Region
    Tamil Nadu
    Last updated
    2026-11-04

Cashew

  • Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

    The source lists chemical treatments for stem borer, root borer, tea mosquito bug and die-back. 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.

    Pending expert review
    Source
    Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cashew – Plant protection, pp. 202–203
    Region
    Tamil Nadu
    Last updated
    2026-11-04

Tea

  • 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.

    Pending expert review
    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

Cocoa

  • Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source

    Tea mosquito bug: monitor regularly and remove alternate hosts such as neem, cashew and guava. Mealybug: monitor, remove weed hosts like Parthenium, destroy infested parts, use neem oil 2% for light attacks, and release Cryptolaemus beetles (10 per tree). Stem canker and pink disease: remove or prune affected parts and apply Bordeaux paste. Chemical sprays and rodent baits are also listed — ask your officer.

    Pending expert review
    Source
    Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cocoa – Plant protection, pp. 206–207
    Region
    Tamil Nadu
    Last updated
    2026-11-05