INSECT PESTS OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

1. Rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosaeformis (Hemiptera: Aphididae):

Distribution: Recorded from Punjab, Delhi, Mysore, A.P. and Nilgiri hills.
Hosts: Aphid infests roses in north India from November to April.
Life history: The eggs hatch in spring into wingless females which
reproduce parthogenetically and large colonies can quickly develop, being mainly found on
the tips of shoots and around flower buds. Nymphal development completed in 11-14 days in
apterous forms and 14-19 days in alate forms. Aphid multiples rapidly in late spring but
cannot withstand the summer heat. Nymphal development (in non-winged forms) is
completed in 11-14 days, whereas in winged forms, this period is 14-19 days. The growth is
quickest in March.
Seasonal history: In northern India, aphid appears in middle of November and increases
progressively. The peak activity period is March. Population declines in early April as the
season warms up. Winged forms are present throughout the period (November-April), but the
peak period is in March (when 90% adults are winged). This aphid mainly overwinters as
eggs on roses, but in mild winters, some adults may survive until spring. Winged females
migrate to other rose bushes or to certain secondary hosts such as hollyhock.
Nature of damage: Adults suck saps from the tender leaves, buds and twigs and are injurious
to tender buds resulting in disfigurement and withering of flowers. They make punctures,
producing wounds, which leaves mark as the flowers open. Black fungus develops on the
honey dew excreted by adults, giving ugly appearance to the [Link] aphids damage the
aesthetic appearance of rosebushes by contorting the flowers and foliage, and by the
sticky honeydew they produce, which often provides a surface on which sooty
mould develops.
Control: Spray 200 ml Malathion 50 EC using 200 litres of water per acre.

2. Groundnut aphid, Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae):

Life history: This black coloured aphid attacks Bougainvillea spp. from December to
February. The females may produce 8-20 young ones without fertilization within a lifespan
of 10-12 days. Young nymphs pass through 4 stages and become adults in 5-8 days. Apterous
females start producing brood within 24 h of attaining that stage.
Seasonal history: Breeding occurs almost throughout the year and both alate and apterous
forms are present.
Nature of damage: This black coloured aphid attacks Bougainvillea spp. from December to
February. Both adults and nymphs suck the sap from flowers, tender leaves and terminal
portions of plants. Attack results in pre-mature falling of the flowers and downward cupping
of leaves. Nymphs and adults suck the sap from the underside of leaves. Infestation in early
stages causes curling of leaves and stunting of plats.
Control: Spray 150 ml Rogor 30 EC or 250 ml Malathion 50 EC in 100 litres of water per
acre as soon as the pest appears.

3. Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae):

Distribution: It is found in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world except
extreme northern areas. It is common in North and South America, Central Asia, Africa,
 Australia, Brazil, East Indies, Mexico and Hawaii and in most of Europe. It is cosmopolitan
in habitat.
Hosts: The cotton aphid has a very wide host range with at least 60 host plants. It can
seriously affect watermelons, cucumbers, squash and pumpkin, pepper, eggplant, okra,
asparagus, citrus, cotton and Carnation and hibiscus.
Life history: Aphids are parthenogenetic and viviparous, giving birth to 8-20 nymphs per
female per day. Parthenogenesis allows large populations of aphids to build up quickly. The
life span of a parthenogenic female is about 20 days in which time it can produce up to 85
nymphs. Nymphs moult 4 times to become adults in 7-10 days. As autumn approaches, the
winged forms migrate back to the primary hosts. Here, both males and sexual females are
produced, mating takes place and the females lay eggs.
Nature of damage: Both adults and nymphs suck the plant sap from many ornamental plants
like Carnation, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Cassia glauca, Tecoma capensis and Rosa sp. from
September to April in northern India. The adults and nymphs of the cotton aphid feed on the
underside of leaves or on the growing tips of shoots, sucking juices from the plant. Maximum
population is observed on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis during March-April. It also transmits mottle
virus. The foliage may become chlorotic and die prematurely. There is often a great deal of
leaf curling and distortion which hinders efficient photosynthesis. Honeydew is excreted by
the aphids and this allows sooty moulds to grow, resulting in a decrease in the quantity and
quality of the produce.
Control: Spray dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 ml/l of water before the opening of flower.

4. Jasmine thrips, Thrips orientalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae):

Distribution: Reported from India, Malaysia, Tanzania, China and Japan
Host plants: Particularly associated with the flowers of Jasminum, Gardenia and Plumeria.
It is mainly found in Jasminum multiflorum from February to April. Females lay their
elongate, cylindrical to kidney-shaped eggs on or into leaves, buds, or other locations.
Feeding and breeding in flowers. The pre-pupae and pupae drop to the soil or within plant
crevices. Nymphs and adults attack the flowers. Brown streaks are seen on flower petals. The
attacked flowers gave a decayed look and fall pre-maturely.
Control: Spray NSKE 5% or dimethoate 30 EC 2ml/litre of water.

5. Castor hairy caterpillar, Euproctis lunata (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae): (Already

covered under oilseeds and polyphagous pests).
Distribution: It is widely distributed in India.
Host plants: Castor, linseed, groundnut, guava, grapevine. In addition, it also attacks
Lagerstroemia indica, Punica granatum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Rosa spp. during
September to October.
Life history: Female moths lay a large number of eggs in clusters on the underside of leaves.
Eggs hatch in 5-7 days and young larvae feed gregariously for the first few days. Later on,
they disperse and feed individually. There are 6 larval instars and larval period is 2-3 weeks.
Full grown caterpillars make loose, silken cocoons in the plant debris lying on the ground
and pupate inside. Pupal period is 1 week in summer and 20 days in winter. It is active
throughout the year, but its speed of development is considerable reduced during winters.
Moths emerge in February and start laying eggs. It has several generations in a year.
 Nature of damage: Young larvae eat the leaf margins. Full grown larvae, however, feed on
the entire leaf lamina. Caterpillars feed on the leaves of various host plants and in case of
severe infestation, they may cause severe defoliation. Attacked plants remain stunted and
produce very little seed. Moths are seen sitting on castor and other plants during daytime.
Control: To control early stage larvae, spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5% or spray
chlorpyriphos 2.5 ml or quinolphos 2 ml or neem oil 5 ml per litre of water.

6. Pea leaf miner, Chromatomyia horticola (Diptera: Agromyzidae):

Distribution: It is distributed in North India.
Host plants: It is a polyphagous pest. It feeds on a number of cruciferous plants,
antirrhinum, nasturtium, pea, linseed, brinjal, carrot, lentil, potato.
Life history: Female lays eggs singly in the leaf tissues. Eggs hatch in 2-3 days.
Maggots/larvae feed between upper and lower layer of epidermis by making zig-zag tunnels.
Larval period is 5 days and pupation takes place within leaf galleries. Adults emerge from
pupae within 6 days. Life cycle is completed in 13-14 days.
Seasonal history: Pest is active from Dec-May, but the peak activity period is mid Jan-I
week of April. It passes rest of the year in the soil as pupa. Several broods are observed from
Dec-May.
Nature of damage: The larvae of this pest are very destructive and make prominent whitish
tunnels in the leaves. Larvae make serpentine mines in the leaves. Usually the mine starts
from the periphery and ends towards the mid-rib of the leaf. With tunneling, there is loss of
chlorophyll. Flowering and fruiting of the crop is much reduced. Adults also feed on the cell
sap and pollen of flowers.
Control: Spray the crop on appearance of pest using 400 ml Rogor 30 EC (dimethoate) in 80-
100 litres of water per acre. Repeat the spray after 15 days, if necessary.

7. Cotton grey weevil, Myllocerus undecimpustulatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae):

Common name: Sri Lankan weevil.
Distribution: This weevil spread from Sri Lanka into India and then Pakistan. Also reported
from the United States.
Host plants: It is commonly found on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Lagerstroemia indica,
Dombeya spectablilis, Dombeya natalensis, Thuja acuminate and Bauhinia acuminata.
The adults feed on leaves in irregular fashion, starting from the leaf margins.
Life history: Female may lay up to 360 eggs over a 24-day period, and larvae emerge in 3-5
days. Eggs are laid directly on organic material at the soil surface usually laid in clusters of
3-5. The larvae burrow into the soil where they feed on plant roots for approximately one to
two months. The larvae pupate in the soil for approximately one week.
Nature of damage: When adult weevils feed on leaves, they feed inward from the leaf
margins (or edges), causing the typical leaf notching. The leaf material is almost completely
defoliated. The adults prefer new plant growth. Intense feeding by numerous weevils may
cause plant decline or stunting. Young seedlings may not survive a large amount of feeding
damage. With healthy plants, however, the feeding damage may be considered cosmetic if
the plant recovers.
Control: Chemical control of the adults is difficult because of their ability to fly, hide, or
feign death and drop to the ground. Adult weevils can be removed from plants by vigorously
 shaking a branch over an open, inverted umbrella. The collected weevils can then be dumped
into a container of soapy water.

8. Eriophid mite, Aceria jasmine (Acarina: Eriophdae): It is a pest of various flower species
in South India. The mite is serious in jasmine and Jatropha. The female is cylindrical with
two pairs of legs. These mites make felt-like hairy outgrowths (Erineum) and webs on the
leaf surface, tender stems, flowers and flower buds. As a result, growth of the plants becomes
stunted and production of flowers is suppressed. For its control, spray 250 ml Rogor 30
EC/Malathion 50 EC per acre OR Dicofol 18.5 EC @ 3 ml per litre water or Wettable
sulphur 50 WP @ 5 g/litre of water