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Pests and diseases of Litchi

Litchi is a tropical fruit tree native to southern China. It is also commonly found in Madagascar, India (Muzaffarpur), Bangladesh, Pakistan, southern Taiwan, northern Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Southern Africa. Scientific name is Litchi chinenis Sonn. It is a medicinal plants, provide meaningful inputs for drugs.

Image of LitchiMajor insect pests of Litchi are:

  • Litchi stem-end borer (Conopomorpha sinensis)
  • Litchi mid vein borer (C. litchiella)
  • Aphid (Aphis gossypii and Toxopleura sp.)
  • Litchi stink bug (Tessaratoma papillosa)
  • Small green beetle (Platymycterus sieversi)
  • Litchi erinose mite (Eriophyes litchi)

Diseases of high economic importance are:

  • Litchi sudden death (Pythium sp. and Fusarium solani)
  • Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosprioides)
  • Litchi brown blight (Peronophthora litchi)
Control:
Good orchard management through the use of biological control and eradication practices such as the use of pheromone and protein bait against Litchi stem end borer and fruit fly, in combination with rational use of fungicide to control brown blight anthracnose are some of the key techniques for their control.