Abstract

Chillies (Capsicum annum) is one of the important erops grown widely for use both as a green vegetable and as a dry stored product for condiment, pickles, etc.; it is one of the chief commercial crops in the Guntur district in the Northern Circars and in the Periyakulam area in the Madura district. In recent years, this crop has been noted to be subject to a serious disease known as the leaf-curl' disease. Though there may be other factors causing this leaf curl, one important causative agent noted is a tiny insect called chillies thrips (Scirtothrips dorsa is, Hood), about 1/25 in length and having a straw yellow colour. This minute active insect attacks the plant in all its stages, sucks up the sap from the tender portions and causes the leaf to shrivel up. The adult has wings and flies away when disturbed. Specimens of this creature can be easily collected in all stages of growth from plants in any infected field. The description of this insect and some notes on its bionomics are given by Hood (1919) and the senior author (1928.)

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