Bioassay of Pochonia (Verticillium) lecanii against Tea aphid and Red spider mite and their field density in Manipur

The mycoinsecticide, Pochonia (Verticillium) lecanii was tested against tea aphid and red spider mite at 3 concentrations viz., 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75% and all the three concentrations were found effective against red spider mite (RSM), Oligonychus coffeae and aphid (Toxoptera aurantii in a dose dependent manner. Field studies showed that aphids attacked tea from March to October with maximum incidence during September (160 aphids/5cm length of tea twig) in the tea fields of Manipur, whereas red spider mite infests during March-April with the peak density of 90 mites/foliage.