Papaya Mealy Bug (Paracoccus marginatus)

• Transmission: by grafting

Symptoms

• Infected plants bear crinkled leaves accompanied with inverted cup appearance with thick veins.
• Stems show zig zag nature.
• Crumpling of leaves are also observed.
• Insects excrete honey dew that causes sooty mould formation.

Management

• Removal of weeds and alternate host plants like hibiscus, bhindi, custard apple, guava etc in and nearby area throughout the year.
• Detrash the crop on 150 and 210 DAP.
• Conserve the natural enemies.
• If nymphs ascended on tree spray carbosulfan (0.05%) or Dimethoate (0.04%)
• Natural enemies of papaya mealybugs
  • Parasitoids: Acerophagus papaya, Phygadium spp.
  • Predators: Spalgis epius (West wood), Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Rodolia fumida