Symptom of attack and control/management of i) Stem borer and ii) Mealy bugs.
Sl. No.
Name of the pest
Season of incidence and method of damage/ Symptoms
Management/ Control measuers
Remarks
1.
Stem borer (Zeuzera coffeae Nietn.)
Bores into the branches and trunks of cocoa trees.
Prune and destroy the affected branches and take up prophylactic spray to the plant with 1.7ml dimethoate or 2ml Quinolphos or 4g Carboryl per litre of water. It can also managed by local application of carboryl paste after pruning the affected portion of stem.
Caterpillars of this polyphagus pest commonly known as red borer or coffee borer
2.
Mealy bugs (Planococcus lilacinus Ckll.)
Adult and young ones suck tender shoots, cushions, flowers and pods, etc. They also cause cushion abortion and wilting of cherelles. Season : More during summer.
Spot application of 1.25 ml of monocrotophos or rogor 1.70 ml per litre of water. If there is recurrence of the pest repeat the application after 30 days
Most important pest of cocoa in India is mealy bugs.