Mealy bug (Ferrisia virgata)

Symptoms

• Bugs sucking the sap from tender shoots.
• The feeding causes yellowing and withering of leaves.
• Affected portions dry up gradually.
• Mealy bug are seen on the undersurface of tender leaves.
• Sooty mold develops on the honey dew secreted by the bug.

Management

• Prune affected shoots during winter.
• Destroy ant colonies.
• Grow attractant plants to attract the defenders.
• Use sticky barrier on trunk. ,
• Spray Lecanicilium lecanii – 20 g/litre of water