Mosquito bug, tea

February 2005, It was not sure if the bug in question was Helopentis or Helopeltis (theivora); however, a member from Vietnam wanted answers regarding organic control or management methods for mosquito bug in tea. A project there is working to reduce pesticide use in tea by providing organic alternatives (organic being controls that meet the criteria of international organic certifiers).

Mosquito bug affects the crop throughout the growing season in many tea growing areas in Vietnam. The effects are devastating when conventional controls cease: production plummets. In pilot areas where there have been no spray interventions of any kind for 3 years or more there appears to be no predator build up of any note.

Cultural control s are being sought and a pheremone (a product called helure B) from India, that is said to have a controlling effect, is being tried. The trails indicate some level of control, but there were too many unknowns to be conclusive. There are also cost issues and various difficulties importing products into Vietnam.

Questions are:

• Is there an organic ‘pesticide’ that may be appropriate that is
  new on the market.
• Is their any experience with the use of pheremones for control of
  mosquito bug in tea