Pink mite (or) Orange mite: Acaphylla theae
- It is an important mite in India.
Symptoms of damage:
- Mites are found on the under surface (abaxial) of young leaves.
- Affected leaves turn pale and upward curling.
- In severe infestation, leaves become leathery and brown.
- Damage - restricted to top 10 – 15 cm of tender leaves.
- Assam type of tea is susceptible.
Identification of the pest:
- Adult - very minute, orange coloured and carrot shaped.
Management:
- Spary any one of the following insecticides
- Ehion 2ml/ lit of water
- Azadirachtin 5 EC 200 ml/ha
- Dicofol 18.5 EC 1250 ml/ha
- Fenazaquin 10 EC 1000 ml/ha
- Fenpyroximate 5 EC 300 – 600 ml/ha
- Flumite 20 SC / Flufenzine 20SC 400 – 500 ml/ha
- Phosalone 35 EC 1028 ml/ha
- Propargite 57 EC 750 – 1250 ml/ha
- Spary wettable sulphur 2gram/lit of water