TOP 10 COMMON INSECT PESTS OF FRUIT CROPS

 TOP 10 COMMON INSECT PESTS OF FRUIT CROPS

     Author -Naga spurthi. A

• INTRODUCTION

Insects are the most diverse and most adaptable form of life in the animal category. Herbivorous insects cause damage to nearly one-fifth of crop annual production. The following information gives you the basic knowledge of the identification of insects in a fruit orchard. 

1. APHIDS

                  

These are commonly called plant lice which belong to the family Aphididae of order Hemiptera. They attack a wide range of plants. They suck the sap and attract the fungus like sooty moulds and also carry various viruses . They attack new growth and multiply. We can control by spraying with soapy water and many insecticides are available to defeat this Aphids 

    2.THRIPS

                

 These are tiny slender insects that belong to order Thysanoptera having fringed wings covered with hairs. They feed on young leaves leaving a silver color mark. They also transfer various diseases.

3.Fruit flies

             

These are tiny oval flies having an appearance belonging to order Diptera. Also termed as vinegar flies.  They cause severe damage to ripening fruits and feed on flesh which results in yield reduction.  They can be wiped off by introducing the insect eating birds.

4.CAPSID BUGS

        

These are green or brown coloured bugs belonging to order Hemiptera. Mostly they will attack fruits and nuts , they will feed on fruit flesh and leaf sap. Wounds will attract fungus and eventually turn brown.

     5.MEALYBUGS

          

 It is a sucking oval pest belong to order Hemiptera.white, cottony egg masses on plants, wax-covered plants, sticky honeydew, black sooty mold growing on top of honeydew or ants feeding on honeydew.control mealybugs naturally with beneficial insects, insecticidal soaps, and other natural techniques.

     6.BEETLES

               

These are insects belong to coleoptera having a shiny exoskeleton , elytra type of wings and fossorial type of legs.Faeces and shed skin are the symptoms found on fruits.Avoid pruning when beetles are known to be in the area and also cut down affected trees and shrubs.

   7. WASPS

             

These are narrow-waisted and belong to order Hymenoptera. They usually ripe fruits and either enlarge any existing small holes or bite an entry to reach the sweet fruit fresh.  This damage  can attract fungal diseases and other problems. Wasps are considered as a pest problem around the orchards during fruit ripening and can be eliminated by spraying JET sprays

   8.WHITEFLIES

            

These are tiny yellowish and white wax covered around wings and body ,belonging to order .Serious pest in sweet potato. They are found mostly on the undersides of leaves. Large numbers that cause severe damage may result from honeydew and sooty mold. Neem oil can be applied and also available pesticides application is necessary.

   9. WEEVILS

      

These insects belong to the order coleoptera of family Curculionidae.  Mostly brown or gray coloured species while the majority of weevils feed exclusively on plants.Weevils have probably been successful because of the development of the snout, which is used not only for penetration and feeding but also for boring holes in which to lay eggs. Major symptom is "shot hole" appearance in kernels. Soapy water and white vinegar are best to control them.

   10.SAWFLIES

            

These belong to order Hymenoptera. These are the Larvae of small insects and can cause extensive damage. Apple sawfly larvae bore into fruits such as apples and leaf trails of their passage across the en fruits. They also create an unpleasant smell on the damaged fruits. Gooseberry ,pear ,and cherry sawflies attack leaves and cause serious stunts in plant's growth.