Pests of Guava

Abstract

Guava is a major fruit crop of tropical and subtropical climate. It is commercially grown in India and is popular due to its nutritional value. Expansion in the area under guava cultivation is increasing in recent years due to high demand in national and international market for fresh fruits as well as its processed products. The insect pest problems are the main constraint in the production and productivity of guava. Approximately 80 insect pests have been reported on guava, but only few of them are pests of regular occurrence and causing significant economic loss. The list includes bark-eating caterpillar, fruit fly and scale insect. The bark-eating caterpillar and fruit flies are occurring in large area, whereas scale insect and mealybugs are infesting guava in South India. Another sucking pest tea mosquito bug assumes major pest status in South and Central India. Recently it has been observed that fruit borer, Virachola isocrates F., incidence increased with crop loss ranged from 5 to 35%. Fruit flies also became major limitation in guava production with 20–46% of infestation causes up to crop loss of 16–40%. Two important invasive pests have been reported, i.e. spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus (Russel) from South India, and stem borer, Aristobia testudo (Voet) from North East region, also becoming a major impediment for the guava cultivation. In the present chapter, recent studies on the insect pests of guava with the modern techniques in their management are given.