Abstract
Tea tortrix, Homona coffearia Nietner (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a seasonal pest of tea in Sri Lanka. Though it is active in dry weather, it is observed that populations do occur in wet weather causing serious damage to tea. The parasite, Macrocentrus homonae Nixon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), controls the tortrix populations, but the efficiency of Macrocentrus has been reduced on account of hyperparasites in recent times. Level of hyperparasitism was studied in some tea tortrix prone areas in the up country region to study how this affected the tortrix populations during wet weather. The hyperparasitism varied during the study period of which average values observed ranged from 35% to 52% in the plantations studied. A negative linear relationship was observed between the average number of parasite cocoons in a cocoon mass and the percentage hyperparasitism. Three generations of tortrix were evident during the study period of May to November 2005. It is observed that tortrix populations do occur in dry and wet weather, and that hyperparasitism has been identified as the major cause affecting the efficient control of tortrix by the parasite. Possibilities of tea tortrix control in wet weather are discussed.
Highlights
Tea Camellia sinensis (O Kuntz) is a perennial tree crop grown intensively on a very large acreage
This study provides some useful information on the occurrence of hyperparasitism in selected tea plantations in the upper elevations of the country
An earlier study has showed that different levels of hyperparasitism can range from 30% to 38% [12] [13], but the present study shows that the hyperparasitism will occur in much higher value of about 52% on average
Summary
Tea Camellia sinensis (O Kuntz) is a perennial tree crop grown intensively on a very large acreage. How to cite this paper: Walgama, R.S. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), the Tea Tortrix of Sri Lanka: Implications for Biological Control. A long lived tree crop exists for a long period of time on the same ground to build up a balanced community of insects and other organisms. Tea in Sri Lanka provides an ecosystem where the general balance of organisms can be maintained and a system where biological control can play a major role in the management of phytophagous insects
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