Warm and dry autumn calls for attention to leafhopper, thrips and moth control

Small pest, southern spotted leafhopper. (Provided by Tainan Agricultural Reform Center)

The recent warm autumn weather has been dry, and the risk of small pests such as leafhoppers, thrips, moths, etc. has gradually increased for groundnuts in the middle of their growth period. The Tainan District Agricultural Improvement Center calls for early strengthening of management and prevention to avoid the expansion of subsequent disasters and ensure future quality and yield.

Nan Gai Chang mentioned that the southern spotted leafhopper can vector plant mycelium and cause cluster leaf disease, causing the leaves of peanut plants to become smaller, shorten the internodes, and become more branched like a broom. If the disease occurs during the flowering period, the flower organ will turn green and leafy, and it will appear as if it has not bloomed. Affected plants are usually shorter, and the growth of fruit pods will be stagnant or the yield will be reduced due to the inability to bloom normally and reduced photosynthesis.

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Peanut thrips mainly harm the early growth and flowering stages. The adult nymphs suck the juice from the inner leaves and flower organs. Common symptoms include shrinkage of young leaves, yellow spots on the leaves in mild cases, and twisted and yellow leaves in severe cases, with the tips unable to expand. They sneak into the flower organs during the flowering period and harm peanuts, affecting pollination of peanuts and reducing pod setting rate and yield.

As for moths, their larvae will eat peanut leaves, flower organs or bore pods, posing a threat to crop yields; in severe cases, the entire plant leaves or even the entire mesophyll will be eaten away, leaving only the leaf veins, seriously affecting the yield.

The Nangai Farm reminds that leafhoppers, thrips and moths need to be actively controlled to avoid affecting the quality and yield of peanuts. When controlling, pay attention to spraying the leaves, leaf backs, heart leaves and flowers. The best time to control thrips is in the evening due to active adult insects. For control chemicals, please refer to the "Plant Protection Information System" and click on the crops to be planted to select registered chemicals.

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