The Latest Methods and Techniques for Controlling Pests and Diseases of Wax Apple

The wax apple itself has a distinctive scent that easily attracts insects, which in turn bring on diseases. In addition, the wax apple's skin is very thin, so its ability to defend against diseases is poor and it is highly susceptible to disease attack. So what pests and diseases affect the wax apple? Let's find out below!

1. Anthracnose

Anthracnose is something many fruit trees encounter, and the wax apple is no exception. When it strikes, the harm to the fruit is relatively great, and it usually starts on the fruit and then spreads outward in all directions. First some brown spots appear, and as the disease progresses the brown spots on the fruit penetrate into the interior of the fruit, causing the fruit to rot; when it appears on the leaves, brown spots likewise spread out and the leaves gradually dry up. You can spray with agents such as 80% mancozeb wettable powder at 600 times dilution, or 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 600 times dilution; just use them according to the instructions.

2. Fruit rot

When it strikes, water-soaked spots appear on the wax apple, in shades of brown and purple, gradually deepening over time, until finally the whole fruit looks as if it has dried up and the entire fruit has changed color. Agents such as azoxystrobin at 1500 times dilution or Bai Tai at 1500 times dilution sprayed on are considered treatments for wax apple fruit rot, but try not to use them within 2 weeks before harvest, and follow the recommended usage and dosage, especially regarding concentration.

3. Oriental fruit fly

The Oriental fruit fly is mainly attracted by the wax apple's fragrance, and it basically only harms the fruit; usually the female lays eggs on the wax apple, using it as a hatching ground, and the larvae begin to absorb the wax apple's nutrients after they are born. The Oriental fruit fly larvae crawl inside the wax apple to obtain more nutrients, so once an Oriental fruit fly infestation appears, many wax apples will have insect holes, accompanied by rotting. For this you can consider treating with agents such as 25% malathion wettable powder, or you can choose to place insect-attracting devices nearby to reduce the chance of infestation.

4. Thrips

Insects like thrips do little harm to the fruit, but they pose a relatively great threat to the leaves and flowers of the wax apple tree, ultimately preventing the fruit from ripening normally. Their harm to the leaves is sucking out nutrients, causing the leaves to keep dropping, and their harm to the flowers is destroying their internal structure, leading to various deformities or defects in the fruit after it sets. You can consider agents such as beta-cyhalothrin or deltamethrin, but it is best to use them according to the doctor's instructions, because the harm is relatively great.

5. Green leafhopper

The green leafhopper is a pest that all kinds of fruit trees encounter, and its greatest threat is hindering the growth of the tree's new branches. The green leafhopper is very particular about its habitat, seeking only fresh, tender branches and leaves, so when checking for green leafhoppers you should pay more attention to these places. After this pest appears, the problem is with the new branches and leaves, which often become bent or curled, and you can open these leaves to see whether there is anything abnormal. For this you can consider 50% parathion at 2000 times dilution, and the effect is fairly good.

The above are some of the common pests and diseases of the wax apple and their control methods. If you discover pests or diseases, first figure out which kind it is, then apply the right treatment.