Cardamom whitefly (Kanakarajiella (Dialeurodes) cardamomi)

Symptoms

• Serious pest in cardamom growing tracts of Kerala.
• The nymphs secrete sticky honeydew, which drops on to lower leaves.
• Black sooty mould develops, which interrupts photosynthesis of the leaves.

Management

• Metal sheets painted yellow and coated with sticky materials, such as castor oil or poly-venyl butanol would serve as traps.
• Placing such yellow sticky traps between rows of cardamom plants.