Tea mosquito bug: Helopeltis theivora

• It is considered to be a serious pest of a tea.
• The damage more in most shaded areas.

Symptoms of damage:

• Adults and nymphs suck the sap from buds, young leaves and tender stems
• Puncturing the plant tissues with their needle like rostrum and inject toxic saliva.
• Punctures appear as reddish brown spots.
• Leaves curl up, badly deformed and shoots dry up.

Identification of the pest:

• Adult - black colour with red thorax, black and white abdomen and greenish brown wings.

Management:

• Spray Clothianidin 50 WDG 120 g/ha or Thiacloprid 21.7 SC 375 ml/ha or Thiamethoxam 25 WG 100g/ha or Bifenthrin 8 SC 500 ml/ha