TUBER VEGETABLES ::MINOR PESTS::MEALY BUGS

Mealy bugs: Geococcus coffeae (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)
Crawlers and adults infest tender roots and tubers. Damage is more severe when slightly infested tubers are stored. Under normal storage conditions, mealy bug multiplies rapidly and stored tubers get thickly covered with mealy growth and become shriveled due to loss of sap. Problem is perpetuated by use of infested tubers as seed. Tubers from infested fields should not be used. Dip the tubers in 0.5% phenthoate solution just before planting.