GUIDE TO BLACK PEPPER PESTS

AND THEIR CONTROL

CARF LOGO Author: Meas Chanty

Date: /////////////////////////
 1. LACE BUG OR TINGID BUG ON PEPPER
BLOSSOM
Local name: "Chay Kapal Has"

Scientific name: Diconocoris hewetti, Family Tingidae, Order Hemiptera

How does lace bug look like?

An insect has a grey black color with hard solid body. His size is around 5 mm of length and 2
mm of width. The insect disposes one pair of antenna and some thing as the horn on the
shoulder (picture //). A nymph is small, has around 3mm of length and 2 mm of width with
grass green body color and brown bristles along of sides (picture //). Adults and young bugs
suck inflorescences and the very young fruit bunches, cause not only the losses because the
falling down of part of the fruit but the damage will be more serious when the damaged
berries infected by the fungi caused the fruit bunch rot.

When and how does lace bug cause damage?

This insect lives permanently in the pepper field but it is abundant in the flowering stage from
June until the development of the young berries (August or September).

Jan Feb M Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec : Significant damages

: Presence
The inflorescence affected by the berry bug has brown to black points on places where
sucked by the insect.
The inflorescences or the young berries will be wilted, graying and fell down when the
damage is serious (picture //)

Where to look for lace bug?

Infestations start mainly from flowering to young berries formation stage. At the morning,
observe lace bug on the inflorescences or on the young berries. The affectation is done
mainly by the adult and the nymph stage. After this abundant period, observe attentively on
the inflorescences or on the young peppercorns to find the lace bug.

What is the best way to manage lace bug?

1- Take care of several predators of Tingid bug such as Dragonflies and damselflies,
variety of Spiders, Earwing, Spraying Mantis as well as Lizards.
2- Examine daily and attentively the presence of lace bug in the critical period from
flowering to berries formation stage. The observation should be done in the morning.
3- Destroy adults or nymphs of the insect from inflorescences or young berries by hand
when the insect population is not high.
4- Use traditional botanical insecticides (Tobacco + manioc tubers + Lavea Siem1)
5- Use insecticides such as Monster (Acephate) 2, Trebon (Etofenprox)3 by alternative
way to control the lace bug in case the traditional botanical insecticide is not efficient.

1
Spontaneous liana grown in the local forest
2
Insecticide class III (WHO hazard class)
3
Insecticide class Un (WHO hazard class)
2. MEALYBUG
Local name: "Chay Sar"
Scientific name: Various species of mealybug, Family Speudococcidae, Order Homiptera

How does mealybug look like?

Mealybugs are plant sucking, oval and soft bodied, relatively immobile insects (picture ///).
They secrete white filaments of wax to cover themselves. Adult females are wingless, soft
bodies, pink and covered by waxy threads. Males which are smaller have wings and are pale
yellow. Young nymphs are white and become pale yellow and later pale pink. The mealybugs
give off honey drew and are tended by ants which protect them from most predators and
parasites.

When and how does mealybug cause damage?

Mealybugs are abundant during droughts (post monsoon) but large populations are
infrequent. At the beginning of rainy season mainly from June to July, the black pepper plants
start to produce the new shoots then continue by flowering and forming the young spikes.
This period is favorable for the mealybugs in the condition of having a dry spell.

The nymphs and adults feed by sucking the sap of new shoots, tender leaves and fruits and
reduces their development. When insects damage seriously the plants, their leaves are
yellowing and exhibit slow development. This insect secretes a sweet honeydew, well
appreciate by the ants and on which growing the sooty mold that is detrimental to the
assimilation of leaves (Picture ///). The defoliation, the fallen inflorescence and spikes can
occur during the serious affectation.
Jan Feb M Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec : Significant damages

: Presence

Where to look for mealybug?

Generally the presence of the ants (black, red or long legs ants) on vines is the sign of
appearing the mealybugs in the plantation.
The insects appear mainly on new shoots, tender leaves and young spikes. Therefore, for the
serious affectation, the insects are also observed on the old leaves, the stems and the old
spikes.

What is the best way to manage mealybug?

1- Take care of predators such as ladybeetles to control the population of mealybugs.

2- Examine daily and attentively the presence of the mealybugs during favorable periods,
mainly when there is the dry spell.
3- Pick up the insects and destroy them by hand or destroy infected plants at the first sign of
mealybug damages.
4- Spray local traditional botanical insecticides then spray a strong jet of water directly on to
the affected area of the plant.
5- Spray insecticides when damages are serious and the traditional botanical insecticides are
not efficient. Use Buprofezin4 but alternatively with the other insecticides such as Trebon
(Etofenprox), or Chlorfluazuron 5 at the morning or afternoon to avoid the insecticide
resistance. Spray a strong jet of water to wash the insects from plants.

4
Insecticide class Un (WHO hazard class)
5
Insecticide class Un (WHO hazard class)
 3. GROUND BEETLE
Local name: "Kanche"
Scientific name: Apogonia cambodjensis, Family Scarabaeidae, Oder Coleoptera

How does ground beetle look like?

A beetle has a shiny black color. His size is around 10 mm of length and 5 mm of width
(Picture ///). This beetle is active at night but at the day time it takes a rest in a hole under the
soil near the base plant or on the shade tree. The beetle feeds new shoots and tender leaves
and its larvae and pupa developed in the ground.

When and how does ground beetle cause damage?

The black ground beetles feed the big part of new shoot and tender leaves. The form of
damage is irregular but generally they feed from the margin inward to the midrib of leaf. When
the affectation is important, the beetles feed also the midrib of leaf (Picture ///).

The upland area is more favorable for the larva and pupa development. The larvae of black
beetle require the strict soil moisture for their development. The water saturate soil and dry
soil affect the development of black beetle larvae. This strict soil moisture requirement
explains their uneven distribution.
The insect is more present in the period where the vines produce the new shoots and tender
leaves. This period is mainly observed in the beginning of rainy season. The overcast sky and
low sunlight is favorable condition for insect activity.

Jan Feb M Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec : Significant damages

: Presence

Where to look for ground beetle?

The insects appear in the field mainly at the evening and night. At day time, the insects hide
themselves in the hole around the plant hills or shade tree near the field. To find the beetles
at the day time, it is recommended to dig the insect hole around the plant hill.

What is the best way to manage ground beetle?

1- Birds and lizards are the main predators of ground beetle.

2- Examine daily and attentively the presence of the insect during the favorable periods.
3- Pick up the insect and destroy by hand at the first sign of damages. Destroy the insect
underground shelter and kill the insects by hand.
4- Flooding the black pepper plantation, especially around the base plants while make
irrigation.
5- Spray the traditional botanical insecticide at evening or eventually at night.
6- However at the rare event of outbreak, treat them with Trebon and use alternatively with
Acephate. The time appropriate for the treatment is during late afternoon.
 4. GREEN WEEVIL /GOLD-DUST WEEVIL /GOLD –
DUST BEETLE
Local name: No local name
Scientific name: Hypomeces squamosus, Family Curculionidae, Order Coleoptera

How does green weevil look like?

This is a big beetle has light green color and 15mm long and 5mm width. The larvae are
stout, greyish white, 15-20 mm when full grown, and have tapered abdomen. These weevils
are easy recognized when the newly emerged because they are covered by shiny yellow or
green scales that give them a dusted appearance.

When and how does green weevil cause damage?

The weevil appears frequently in the period where the pepper plants produce new shoots and
tender leaves.
The adult and larva are polyphagous, feed the young tender leaves from the edge inwards
and only the softer tissues between the veins are eaten on older leaves. The larvae live in the
soil feed on living plant roots. There are various host plants including upland rice, maize,
sugarcane, tobacco, cotton and citrus. The pupation takes place in the soil. The adults feed
on the same plants, but also attack a wide range of forestry species.

Where to look for green weevil?

The adult and larva feeds the tender leaves. Therefore, we can find it on the leaves at the
morning or afternoon. At the hot time this weevil hides in the shade leaves. The larva and its
pupa are found in the soil near the base plant.

What is the best way to manage green weevil?

The recommendations to control ground beetle could be also applicable for controlling this
weevil.
 5. Stinging Slug Caterpillar

Local name: "Kantech arl"

Scientific name: Parasa lepida (Cramer), Family Limacodidae, Order Lepidoptera.

How does stinging slug caterpillar look like?

Caterpillars have yellow-green color, 30mm of length and 5-6mm of width and have many
protuberances of spine on the body. The caterpillars are polyphagous and cause severe
defoliation of plants. The male larva has seven instars and often eight is recorded for the
female. Young larvae are yellow but in the third instars a blue grey strip is appeared along the
dorsum and another light green along each side. The egg stage of P.lepida lasts 5-7 days.
Eggs are laid in groups of 15-40. Larva development requires an average of 40 day (32-36
days) and its pupation is gregarious and lasts about 22 days (21-24 days).

When and how does caterpillar cause damage?

Female moths lay eggs on the old leaves. Caterpillars hatch out and begin feeding the
undersides of the old leaves. They chew holes on the undersides of the mature leaves and
also its edge, but don't cause enough damage to reduce yield.
The mature caterpillars drop off the brush and pupate (form cocoons) on the ground. Cocoons
are spherical about 10-15 mm in diameter, and consist of a hard papery shell covered with a
thin layer of silk. They are found buried in the soil (within the top 2 cm), or among dead
leaves. Adults are small brown moths.
Often the populations of P.lepida are decreased during the rainy season which sets off
epizootics of a viral disease. In general, this insect is kept in check by its numerous natural
enemies.
 Where to look for stinging slug caterpillar ?

The caterpillars are usually found on the undersides of the mature leaves. The cocoons are
buried in the soil or hided among the fallen leaves under plants.
The presence of the caterpillars in plantations could be identified by presenting of larva
excrements on the ground around plants.

What is the best way to manage stinging

slug caterpillar?

Caterpillars have stringing pines that can cause painful burns. So do not collect these
caterpillars by bare skin but it is possible to collect them by using gloves.

1- There are several natural enemies for P. lepida. So take care of its natural enemies
such as several parasitoid wasps (Braconidae wasp) and flies (Tachinidae fly).
2- Collect the caterpillars by wearing gloves and burn or crush them.
3- It is useful to collect cocoons on the ground or among fallen leaves under plants and
burn or crush them.
4- Often P.lipida populations are decimated during the rainy season due to diseases may
develop in the pest caterpillars. Collect sick caterpillars (they stop moving, become
limp and soggy and may have a bad smell) and mash them in some clean water. Then,
spray the water onto the undersides of mature leaves to spread the disease. Spray
during late afternoon to avoid the bright sun kills the disease.
5- Use traditional botanical pesticides to spray onto undersides leaves during late
afternoon
6- However in the rare event of outbreak, spray onto caterpillars with Baccillus
thuringiensis or Chlorfluazuron.
 6. Treehopper
Local name: "Bey Chhruk" or "Dek Chharb" or "Momeach Mo-rech"

Scientific name: Telingana varipes, Family Membracidae, Order Hemiptera

How does treehopper look like?

A tree hopper has head and dorsal with shiny pale brown color and triangular from (referred
to the local name "Bey Chhrung"). It has one small pair short horns on its head and light
brown transparency wings. It is a small insect has around 3 mm of length and 2 mm of width.
The pepper producers consider this tree hopper as a minor pest because it has never caused
significant damage in the area.

When and how does treehopper cause damage?

Tree hoppers are more abundant in the beginning of rainy season, mainly when the black
pepper produces the flowers and the new shoots. The short dry or low intensity of rain during
the rainy period will be favor to appear them on the black pepper.
They feed the black pepper by sucking the sap of the inflorescence, the young berries and the
tender leaves.
The inflorescence affected by this insect will be changed to the grayish color, dried and fallen.
Jan Feb M Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec : Significant damages

: Presence

Where to look for treehopper ?

We can find the insects on new shoots, inflorescences, young berries and tender leaves at
the morning and evening (low intensity of sunlight). At the sunlight time the insect will be
found in the shadowed leaves.

What is the best way to manage treehopper?

1- Daily check the presence of the insects during the favorable period
2- Spray traditional botanical pesticides at the morning or at the evening at the first sign of
insect damage.
3- Spray alternatively Chlorazuron with Buprofezin and Acephate in case of outbreak event.
 7. Termite
Local name "Kandear"
Scientific name: Various species, Family Termitidae and Rhinotermitidae, order Isoptera

How do termites look like?

Termites are soft-bodied insects. Most species of termites are subterranean and spend their
lifetime within the soil, shelter tubes they build or wood in which they feed. Termites can be
classified by caste such as worker, soldier, and reproductive caste (Alate or swarmed
termites, king and queen).

Interestingly, worker termites have no eyes, so they do everything by feel and scent.

King
King

Queen
King
Worker termites with one
queen and three kings.

When and how do termites cause damage?

Termites will development with the following favor conditions:

- Extended dry season and poorly drained soil
- Upland and wetland without extended flooding.
- Plot accumulated waste wood like stumps, tree top or branches on and in the soil offers
additional food for termites.
They are harmful to plant because:
- They make the sterile soil by doing the nests.
- They cause the declination of the vines and the death the plants by getting into them
some centimeters underground.
- They eat the underground organs.
- They produce the underground tunnel and this tunnel will retain the rain water and causes
the rotting of plants roots and died.
The damage symptoms are notified by vines wilt temporally at the hot time but they will
normally recover at night and in the morning. The vines stagnate or slow down their
development. This damage symptom can be confused with the decline wilt and foot rot
disease at the first stage.

Where to look for termites ?

Frequently, termites attack poles of black peppers and build their subterranean nests in the
plantation. Therefore check regularly the movement of termites on the pole surface and the
presence of nests around the plants.

What is the best way to manage Termites?

- Predators of termites are birds, reptiles like geckos, and lizards, mites, spiders and insects
like assassin bugs, ants, frog and some others. Take care of them to keep termites away.
- Examine regularly the presence of nest around the hill and termite movement on the pole.
- Incorporate green manures into the soil, this will improve food resources for the termites
and prevent them to attack the target crop.
- Manual measures comprise hoeing and digging out subterranean nests, after that destroy
the termite population, mainly the termite queen. Replace new healthy soil and step on it
firmly around the hill.
- Drill deeply the nest at different places until the bottom if possible then inject insecticide
such as Chlorfluazuron, Imidachloprid. Consulting with experienced agriculture technicians
before using these insecticides.