Innovative Global Strategies To Control The Damage Of Mealy Bug On Papaya Fruit
Introduction:
The papaya mealy bug (Paracoccus marginatus) is a polyphagous, sucking pest which belong to family (Pseudococcidae) and order (Homoptera). Previous literature have been proved that the first sample of this devastating mealy bug was collected in Mexico during 1955. It was described in 1992 in the Neotropical Region occupying Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico. (Williams and Granara de Willink 1992).
In Asia it was firstly reported in 2008. Its small size insect pest which infests leaves and fruits of papaya tree. Body of this insect is covered with thick waxy material. It has strong association with ants and ants also help in dispersion and transportation of papaya mealybug. This insect commonly found on every horticultural and other agricultural plants. Now a day’s attack of this insect pest will be increasing gradually on papaya fruit in worldwide. Morphological Identification: Body of female adult is yellowish, flattened, oval and dusted by thick white waxy material. They are approximately 2. 2 mm long and 1. 4 mm wide in size. When they become adult then they produce sticky and elastic white waxy Projecting filaments from her body. They are wingless insect pests. Male of this insect is short in size having six legs and long 8-10 segmented antennae. They are pink in color and winged insect pests. They are 1 mm long and 0. 3 mm wide in size.
Life Span: It's has 3 development stages
- Eggs: Female lays eggs range from 600-900 which are greenish yellow and covered by thick waxy material.
- Nymph: They are known as crawlers at first instar stage. They are too active and secret white waxy. They attack on soft portion of plant and start feeding by sucking mouth parts.
- Adult: Females are yellowish green but males are pink in color. Females are wingless but males have wings. Males are smaller in size than females.
Ecology:
The ideal temperature for the growth of this insect pest is 20-25 Centigrade and minimum is 21 Centigrade. Mode of Spread: Papaya mealy bug spreads very fast like a fire. It is invasive and migratory pest and has been identified in almost 50 countries during last decade. It migrates from infested plants to healthy. It can also move through wind, air, rain, human activities, irrigation and transportation.
Damage Symptoms:
It attacks on a stem, leaves and fruits of plant. When this insect pest secretes toxic waxy material on leaves then they become crinkled and deform. Growth of plant becomes stop, due to which immature fruit become mature in early and fall down. Flowers of papaya cannot bloom in proper way. Black spots present on fruit after infestation. Basically it sucks the cell sap so veins of older leaves become dry and shed immediately. When PM attacks on fresh leaves then they become crumpled as well as shoot becomes bunchy. In case of heavy infestation they can kill the plant. Management Strategies: Cultural Control: All crop residue and infested plant parts should be removed. Pruned stems, leaves and other twigs should be burntColonies of ants should be destroy because they help in spread of papaya mealy bug Infested farm equipments should not be used in healthy or uninfected fieldWe should use sprinkler or power irrigations in field instead of flood irrigation to prevent migration of pestBiological Control: This is the best tool in IPM to control insect pest.
