\m 15 5 24 2 1 'General Control Information' \m 51 18 77 2 1 'Aphids' \m 64 22 103 3 1 'Hornworms, Leafrollers, Loopers, Omnivorous Loopers' \m 77 27 111 3 1 'Mealybugs' \m 89 32 7 3 1 'Mites' \m 99 34 65 3 1 'Papaya Fruit Flies' \m 143 52 100 4 1 'Papaya Webworms' \m 157 57 10 4 1 'Papaya Whiteflies' \t'November 1987' 'V G-' \a Dr. Freddie Johnson, Extension Entomologist \a \a INSECT CONTROL IN PAPAYA Dr. Freddie Johnson, Extension Entomologist \h 1 'General Control Information' INSECT CONTROL IN PAPAYA General Control Information Insects may be a limiting factor in the growing of papayas, especially from fruit set until harvest. Among those likely to be a problem are the papaya fruit fly, webworm, whitefly, hornworms, and leafhoppers. Of these pests, the papaya fruit fly is especially important because it is difficult to control and requires taking some preventive measures. According to EPA data bank information sources the following materials are approved for use on papayas: Bacillus thuringiensis, carbaryl (Sevin), diazinon, malathion, methomyl (Lannate, Nudrin) and fenbutatin-oxide (Vendex). Malathion may cause phytotoxic burns if used during certain weather conditions, plant growth stages or above average dose rates. The uses may extend and include application to fruit-bearing plants or they may be restricted to ornamental or nursery use only. It is the responsibility of the applicator to use only labeled materials to meet their specific needs. Since papayas are a crop where very few insecticides are approved for use it requires the grower to go to extra efforts in seeking the approved insecticides with supporting papaya use instructions on the label. Local authorities, agricultural supply dealers and the County Agricultural Extension office may be able to supply additional information. Under the FIFRA amendment of 1978 the grower may use a material (insecticide) that is legal and EPA approved for a pest on a crop for other non-listed pests as long as the user follows the label directions and rates for the approved pest. \h 1 'Aphids' Aphids ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Days to Insecticide Formulation Rate/Acre Harvest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- malathion (Cythion) 5 EC 1 1/2 - 2 pt 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \b\v \h 1 'Hornworms, Leafrollers, Loopers, Omnivorous Loopers' \v \v \v Hornworms, Leafrollers, Loopers, Omnivorous Loopers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Days to Insecticide Formulation Rate/Acre Harvest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bacillus thuringiensis 2X, 4L See label for (Dipel) rates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \h 1 'Mealybugs' Mealybugs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Days to Insecticide Formulation Rate/Acre Harvest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- malathion (Cythion) 5 EC 1 1/2 - 2 pt 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \h 1 'Mites' Mites Control -- Vendex is a new miticide that has proven to be very effective. It is labeled for carmine, citrus red, Texas citrus, broad, red and black flat mites on papayas. Vendex can be used 9 times per season and up to 7 days before harvest. \h 1 'Papaya Fruit Flies' Papaya Fruit Flies These are sometimes called wasps, because of the long ovipositor of the female fly as well as similarities in size and color. This long egg-laying organ, which is as long as the body proper, penetrates the flesh of the fruit and enters the seed cavity. Eggs are usually laid in small fruit, about two to three inches in diameter, but they may be deposited in smaller and larger fruit, especially during high populations of the fly. The larvae, which are small legless maggots, feed on the seed and interior parts of the fruit. When the larvae become mature, they emerge from the fruit, drop to the ground beneath the plant and pupate just below the soil surface. After about two to four weeks the flies emerge to mate and seek fruit in which to lay eggs. CONTROL -- It is too late to attempt control measures after the female fruit fly has deposited eggs in the fruit. Consequently, control procedures should be directed at preventing egg-laying either by mechanical means or by applying insecticides to kill the adult female before she deposits her eggs. However, there is no approved insecticide that will control the papaya fruit fly effectively. \bControl of the fly may be achieved by mechanical protection such as the use of paper bags. Each fruit may be enclosed ina 3-5 pound size bag tied around the fruit stem to hold the bag. Newspaper, one-half sheet (about 12-15 inches in size), may be rolled to enclosed the fruit, then tied around the fruit stem, and also the free end. Bagging should begin when the fruit is small, shortly after the flower parts have fallen. This method of control is more adapted to small (1 to 25 plants) than to large (one-fourth acre or more) plantings. Although bagging the fruit is the most certain method of control it is a laborious process and requires attention at regular intervals (10 to 14 days) to keep the young fruit covered. Also, this procedure will injure some of the fruit unless handled carefully. Sanitation -- is important in the control of the papaya fruit fly. It consists of destroying all dropped and prematurely ripe fruit, as well as small fruit suspected of being infested to prevent the larvae from developing into adult fruit flies. \h 1 'Papaya Webworms' Papaya Webworms These are sometimes referred to as the fruit cluster worm, but is commonly called papaya webworm. It develops under a web between and around fruits and along stems of plants. The webworm cause injury to fruit and stem, providing an entrance for the fungus disease, anthracnose. Control -- There is no chemical control currently approved. Use of malathion and/or Bacillus thuringiensis (Dipel) for other insects may reduce or aid in the control of webworms. \h 1 'Papaya Whiteflies' Papaya Whiteflies Adult is a small white insect which often can be detected by shaking the leaves of the plant -- especially young leaves. Control -- The papaya whitefly can be controlled with sulfur sprays or dusts. The spray should be mixed at the rate of two pounds of wettable sulfur per 25 gallons of water and applied when adults become numerous. Aphids and mealybugs on papaya may be controlled with malathion 57% EC at a rate of 1 1/2 to 2 pints per 100 gallons of water.