Guava - Pest management

 Tea mosquito bug

Biology:

Eggs: Eggs are elongate and slightly curved with a pair of filaments, egg period 7-8 days. Nymph: Nymphal period 14-16 days. Life cycle completed in 22-25 days. Adult: Reddish brown bug with black head, red thorax, black and white abdomen, and a knob like process on mid-dorsal thorax.

Damage symptoms:
  • Nymphs and adults make punctures on petiole, tender shoots and fruits
  • Brownish – black necrotic patches develop on the foliage
  • Elongate streaks and patches develop on shoots
  • Corky scab formation on fruits.

Natural enemies of tea mosquito bug: Predators: Reduviid bug, Oxyopes sp. and Green lacewing.



Guava general information

Guava (Psidium guajava L) of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), is the fifth most widely grown fruit crop in India after banana, mango, citrus and papaya. The fruit has gained considerable prominence in India due to its high nutritive value, moderate prices, pleasant aroma and good flavour. Guava is a rich source of vitamin C and pectin and moderate source of B vitamins, calcium, iron and phosphorus. It is one of the commonest fresh fruits liked by the rich and the poor alike and is popularly known as the ‘apple of tropics’ or `poor man’s apple’. Only a small quantity of the production is utilized for processing in the form of jelly, canned cups, juice and nectar, cheese, toffee bar, powder, flakes and strained baby foods have also been prepared besides commercial pectin.

Contact us.

  • ICAR - IIHR.
  • Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake post, Bengaluru - 560 089.
  •   Phone +91-80 23686100. website : www.iihr.res.in