Diversity and Population Dynamics of Pest in Sambawa Tea Plantation, West Java

Abstract

Tea plants are grown in monoculture on a large scale, so that can be a caused pest in the high population. This study aims to determine the diversity and dynamics of pest populations in Sambawa tea plantations in West Java. Tea pests are found in the crop and on the leaves picked at the plant. The dynamics of the pest population were noted by observing the area of attack, the intensity of the attack, and population density. Twenty-one pests on tea plants were identified based on their morphological characteristics and symptoms. Among them, seven species attack bud and young leaf, two species attack old leaf, twelve species attack young and old leaves, and one pest attacks tree trunk. Twelve pests were carried to the factory’s withering tub of leaves. Tea green leafhopper (Empoasca sp.), tea leaf roller (Caloptilia theivora), tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis bradyi), and tea tortrix (Adoxophyes sp. and Homona coffearia) were the main pests at the observation site. The population of tea green leafhoppers decreased after the second application of pesticides, post-picking, and heavy rains. The tea leaf roller was not found after the first and second pesticide applications. The population of tea leaf rollers began to increase during picking until the last observation. The highest population of tea mosquito bugs was found after the second pesticide application. The population of tea tortrix decreased after the second pesticide application.