MAJOR PESTS OF CASHEW CROPS

MAJOR PESTS OF CASHEW CROPS

1. Tea Mosquito Bug

Scientific Name: Helopeltis antonii

Damage Symptoms:

    • Brownish-black necrotic lesions on young shoots, inflorescences, and immature nuts
    • Wilting and dieback of shoots
    • Premature nut and flower drop

Management:

    • Spray insecticides like:
      • Imidacloprid (0.3 ml/l)
      • Thiamethoxam (0.25 g/l)
      • Lambda-cyhalothrin (0.5 ml/l)
    • Avoid excessive pruning and maintain orchard hygiene
    • Use neem oil (3%) as a biopesticide

2. Cashew Stem and Root Borer (CSRB)

Scientific Name: Plocaederus ferrugineus

Damage Symptoms:

    • Yellowing and wilting of leaves
    • Holes at the base of the trunk with frass (wood powder)
    • Death of entire tree if untreated

Management:

    • Regular inspection of tree trunks
    • Remove and destroy infested trees
    • Plug holes with cotton soaked in Chlorpyrifos (0.2%) or Imidacloprid, then seal with mud
    • Maintain tree vigor through proper nutrition

3. Cashew Leaf Miner

Scientific Name: Acrocercops syngramma

Damage Symptoms:

    • Silvery serpentine mines on young leaves
    • Leaf curling and drying

Management:

    • Spray systemic insecticides like Dimethoate (0.05%) or Imidacloprid
    • Maintain field sanitation
    • Encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps

4. Apple and Nut Borer

Scientific Name: Thylactus spp.

Damage Symptoms:

    • Boreholes in the apple and nut
    • Rotting of apples and premature nut fall

Management:

    • Collect and destroy fallen nuts and apples
    • Spray with insecticides like Chlorpyrifos during fruiting stage

5. Flower Thrips

Scientific Name: Scirtothrips dorsalis

Damage Symptoms:

    • Flower distortion and discoloration
    • Reduced fruit set due to damage to floral parts

Management:

    • Spray Neem oil (3%) or Spinosad (0.3 ml/l)
    • Avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers

6. Mealybugs

Scientific Name: Ferrisia virgata, Phenacoccus spp.

Damage Symptoms:

    • White cottony masses on tender shoots and nuts
    • Stunted growth and black sooty mold due to honeydew

Management:

    • Spray with systemic insecticides like Imidacloprid or Dimethoate
    • Release natural enemies like ladybird beetles


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