\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.
