Insect pests of tea: shot hole borers, termites and nematodes

Publication date: 19/02/2018
Extent: 40 pages

Contributions by: Nalini C. Gnanapragasam, Former Deputy Director (Research), Tea Research Institute, Sri Lanka; currently Agricultural Tea Consultant - Malwatte Valley Plantations PLC, Sri Lanka

Chapter synopsis: The tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze) is a perennial crop and every part of the plant is prone to infestation by some pest over its lifetime. The prevalence and occurrence of the pest is primarily determined by the specific agro-climatic conditions, the type of cultivar and the cultural practices adopted within a given specific location. This chapter briefly describes the biology and ecology of important pests attacking tea in the different tea-growing areas of the world and the type of damage/injury induced, focusing on shot hole borers, termites (both live wood and scavenging varieties) and nematodes.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0036.13