Papaya mealy bug– Paracoccus marginatus
Biology

• Mealy bugs are white soft bodied, wingless insects covered with a mealy covering
• Egg – Nymph – Adult
• Egg group of masses – Ovisac

Nature of damage

• Sucking of sap by both nymphs and adults
• Crinkling and curling of leaves
• Stunted growth
• Secretion of honey dew
• Movement of ants
• Presence of sooty mould
• Severe infestation result in shredding of bark

Management

• Release of parasitoid, Acerophagus papayae
• Spraying of chlorpyriphos, 20 EC @ 5ml/ lit of water (or) Profenofos 50 EC @ 2ml/lit of water

 

Mealy Bugs on Fruit	Mealy Bugs on Stem