Module II Economically Important Insect Pests Lesson 3

Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests Lesson 3: Aphids Generally seen when the plants are in reproductive phase. Life Cycle The pest is active from May to November. Adults live for 2 -3 weeks and produce 8 -22 nymphs per day. Both winged and wingless forms breed Parthenogenetically. Aphids The Nymphal period lasts for about 7 -9 days. It has 12 -14 generations per year. Multiplying fast during December-January. Occurs mainly in dry and cloudy weather cool and humid conditions

Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests Lesson 3: Aphids Nature and symptoms of damage Appear on the tender shoots, leaves and on the lower surface of the leaves. Suck the sap and reduce the vigour of the plant. Secrete sweet substances which attracts and develops sooty mould. The pods that develop black colour due to sooty mould lose quality and fetch low price. The yields are also reduced by aphids directly and more through the spread of virus diseases acting as vectors indirectly. Aphids on Chili

Module II: Economically Important Insect Pests Lesson 3: Aphids Control Spray with 0. 1% Dimethoate or Methyl demeton (2 ml in one litre of water) or Monocrotophos 1. 5 ml or Acephate (1 g in one litre of water) Spray with alternate chemicals at 10 days interval till the end of aphid population checked. The winged forms of aphids migrate from one field to another rapidly. Hence, spraying is to be done as far as possible within a day or two by all the cultivators of particular locality.