The document discusses pests that infest nutmeg plants, specifically in nurseries and young fields in India. The main pests are several species of scale insects, including the black scale, white scale, and shield scale. These scale insects feed on and damage the leaves, stems, and shoots of nutmeg seedlings and young plants, which can become wilted or develop sooty mold if infestations are severe. Control measures include spraying nursery plants with pymetrozine or flonicamid.

1. PESTS OF NUTMEG

2. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans )
Very few insects have been recorded on nutmeg in the
field in India; however, a few species of scale insects
infest seedlings in the nursery and sometimes young
plants in the field.
Scale insects
• Among the scale insects infesting nutmeg,
• The black scale (Saissetia nigra) (Hemiptera: Coccidae)
• White scale (Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Hemiptera:
Diaspididae)
• Shield scale, Protupulvinaria mangiferae (Hemiptera:
Coccidae) are important.

3. Damage
• The black scale infests tender stems and
leaves especially in the nursery and
sometimes on young plants in the field
• The scales are seen clustered together and are
black, oval and dome shaped.
• They feed on plant sap and severe infestations
cause the shoots to wilt and the plants
present a sickly appearance.
• Infested shoot invariably develop sooty
mould cover.

4. • The white scale is grayish white, flat and shaped like
a fish scale and measures about 2.25 x 1.5 mm in
size.
• The white scale occurs clustered together on the
lower surface of leaves especially in nursery
seedlings.
• The pest infestation results in yellow streaks and
spots on affected leaves and in severe infestations
the leaves wilt.
• Shield scale –creamy brown , oval occurs on tender
leaves and stems in nursery seedling,- wilting of
leaves and shoots

5. Management:
• Scales insects are sporadic pests on nutmeg
can be controlled by spraying with
pymetrozine 50 WG @ 0.6g/L or flonicamid 50
WG @ 0.3g/L can be effective.

6. THANK YOU