Biology and Management of Tea Mosquito Bug, Helopeltis Antonii on Neem

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the bio-efficacy of entomopathogens and synthetic insecticides for the management of tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii on neem as well to study its biology and morphometrics. It was found that the life cycle of H. antonii, unfolds over 37 to 48 days when hosted on neem, encompassing an incubation period of 7.45 ± 1.19 days and a nymphal phase lasting 16.05 ± 1.28 days. The male members exhibit a longevity of 17.85 ± 1.63 days, while the females live slightly longer at 19.2 ± 1.88 days. Hatching percentages range from 62.5% to 86.67%, with adult emergence rates falling between 83.33% and 92.85%. Notably, the population skews towards males, maintaining a sex ratio of 1:1.22.In insecticide testsfor managing the tea mosquito bug on neem, lambda-cyhalothrin and thiamethoxam on neem show high efficacy, while Lecanicillium lecanii has the least impact.