MANGO LEAF WEBBER MANAGEMENT USING LEAF- WEB REMOVING DEVICECOUPLED WITH INTEGRATED APPROACHES

Abstract

Leaf webber (Orthaga spp., commonly O. exvinacea Hampson) is an important defoliator of mango (Mangifera indica
L.), reducing canopy photosynthetic area, weakening shoots, causing extensive defoliation and a characteristic “burnt” appearance
of the canopy, ultimately leading to substantial yield losses. Mechanical removal of webbed shoots and burning of collected
material is a recommended and effective component of integrated pest management (IPM).To develop a sustainable and effective
management strategy, an integrated pest management (IPM) approach was evaluated under field conditions in Adilabad district
of Telangana. The study assessed a combination of mechanical and judicious chemical management methods. The ICAR-Central
Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow, has developed a simple leaf-web removing device intended to safely and
efficiently remove webbed leaves and shoots from mango trees for destruction. The perusal of the data indicated that the
implementation of an IPM module, combining cultural practices like the mechanical removal and destruction of infested webs and
shoots followed by targeted insecticidal applications, significantly reduced the leaf webber incidence and increased B:C ratio2.59:1
compared to farmer’s practice1.79:1. Mechanical control was found to be highly effective in initial reduction of larval populations
(recorded minimal larvae per tree shortly after application).The IPM strategy provided a significant yield increment 27.12 %
compared to farmers’ traditional practices. This integrated strategy offers a viable and robust solution for mango growers to
mitigate the damage caused by the leaf webber and ensure sustainable mango production.