Purple mite: Calacarus carinatus
- This is a major pest in South India.
Symptoms of damage
- Mites feed on the under surface of mature leaves.
- Assam type of tea - more susceptible to purple mite.
- Damaged leaves - coppery brown discolouration
Identification of the pest
- Adult - very small, spindle shaped and dark puple in colour
- Five longitudinal white waxy ridges on the dorsal side.
Management
- Spray any one of the following Insecticides
- Dicofol 18.5 EC 1250 ml/ha
- Ethion 50 EC 500 ml/ha
- Fenazaquin 10 EC 1000 ml/ha
- Fenpyroximate 5 EC 300 – 600 ml/ha
- Flumite 20 SC or Flufenzine 20SC 400 – 500ml/ha
- Phosalone 35 EC 1028 ml/ha
- Propargite 57 EC 750 - 1250 ml/ha