International Journal of Pest Management (2015) 61, 179-197

Somnath Roy, Narayanannair Muraleedharan, Ananda Mukhapadhyay and Gautam Handique (2015)
The tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Heteroptera: Miridae): its status, biology, ecology and management in tea plantations
International Journal of Pest Management 61 (3), 179-197
Abstract: Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Heteroptera: Miridae) or the tea mosquito bug (TMB) is a major sucking pest of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in most tea-producing countries. The nymphs and adults of the TMB suck the sap from tender leaves, buds and young shoots, which results in heavy crop losses. The damage to tea plants caused by the TMB is not limited to the sucking of plant materials and extra-oral digestion by salivation. Damage is also caused by the insertion of eggs into plant tissues during oviposition. More than a dozen alternate host plants and only a few natural enemies of the TMB have been recorded. For control of this pest, synthetic pesticides are widely used. There are many reports regarding the excessive application of insecticides that has resulted in the development of high tolerance and even resistance in this pest to certain insecticides. This review collates the most important works conducted on the bio-ecology of the TMB and includes a discussion of the problems encountered in the management of this pest. The scope of future studies and the plans for better management of this serious sucking pest of the tea plant are also discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
review

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Helopeltis theivora	Tea (Camellia sinensis)