Damage and Oviposition of Tea Mosquito Bug Helopeltis antonii Signoret on Guava, Neem and Moringa

A study on symptoms of damage and ovipositional preference of tea mosquito bug (TMB), Helopeltis antonii Signoret was done on guava, moringa and neem. A survey was conducted in villages of Dindigul and Theni districts of Tamil Nadu, India for observing symptoms of damage. In guava, the bug feeds both on new flush and fruits, causing irregular necrotic spots on young leaves and corcky out growths on fruits. In moringa, the leaves and flowers dry-up and give wilted appearance. In neem, the nymphs and adults feed on young flush that lead to dieback. All the three hosts, irrespective of TMB feeding bloom during next favourable season. For ovipositional preference, the descending order of preference is guava, moringa and neem.