Pests, Beneficials, Diseases and Disorders of Mangoes - Northern ...

Tea mosquito bug
Helopeltis pernicialis (Family Miridae)
Description:
Eggs: Elongate, white and embedded in plant tissue (rarely seen).
Immatures: Similar in appearance to adults, golden brown in colour.
Adults: Adults are dark reddish brown or black with an orange thorax
and a white underside. They have a prominent spine on the centre of
the thorax. Legs are long, black and thin. Antennae are longer than the
length of the body. Size: 6–7 mm in length.
Life Cycle: Egg to adult takes about 30 days.
Similar to: Damage caused by bacterial black spot or pre-harvest
anthracnose on immature fruit.
Damage: Feeding by both nymphs and adults produces black necrotic
lesions on soft leaves, young shoots, flower panicles and developing
fruit. Damage is very localised.
Critical Control Period: Late wet season to harvest.
Other comments: Tea mosquito bug prefers trees with dense foliage.
Adults and nymphs are rarely seen, therefore it is easier to monitor for
damage symptoms instead of the number of bugs.
Monitoring: Check for damage to new flush or developing fruit.
J F M A M J J A S O N D
24