Mealy bug has no 'adverse' effect on trees: Agri experts

Ludhiana, Aug 3 (UNI) Confirming the attack of mealy bug on trees of different varieties, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) scientists said that ''so far, no adverse effect of the bug on trees has been noticed''.

Mealy bugs, which have struck the cotton crop in the state, are polyphagous pests known to appear on large number of crops, weeds, perennial plants and ornamentals and cause damage by sucking sap from young plant parts.

In line with this, Dr N S Buttar, Head, Department of Entomology at PAU said that mealy bugs had been found feeding on neem, pipal, shisham, fruit trees and other varities, but none of these trees have exhibited any adverse affect of their occurrence so far. Besides, species of mealy bugs are also known to thrive on citrus, grapes, guava, pomegranate, sapota and aonla, but economic damage has not been recorded, he added.

There are many species of mealy bugs found on different hosts having different biology and ecology, he said.

The PAU has observed the attack of mealy bugs on mango and cotton and specific strategy for its management has been recommended. For its management, Dr Buttar said it is desirable to follow the cultural measures involving the removal and destruction of weed hosts besides the necessary use of insecticides.

On spotting out the mealy bug on the aerial parts of the ornamental or on the perennial plants, it is worthwhile to treat the affected plants with any of the insecticides such as profenophos, accephate, thiodicarb, chlorphyriphos and quinalphos.

While spraying the insecticides, the farmers should use a toot sprayer or rocking sprayer.

The insecticides are basically poison and should be used carefully by observing precautions that are being advocated, Dr Buttar said.

These pests, surviving on wasteland weeds and other densely populated ornamentals, sometimes flare up due to the favourable weather conditions and start migrating to adjoining green vegetation, he pointed out.

According to Dr Buttar since these insects have not been much exposed to pesticides, they can be managed with the recommended pesticides easily. These pests do not cause any kind of skin problems as feared, he added.

UNI