The green weevil, Hypomeces pulviger an emerging pest of tea

The green weevil, Hypomeces pulviger (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the emerging insect pests of tea in many tea-producing countries. The adult weevil can reach a length of about 14 mm (0.6 inches) and is covered with iridescent green or yellowish-green dust-like scales all over the body. The head has a broad, long snout, clubbed antennae, large black eyes, and chewing mouthparts. The thorax and elytra (wings) are grey, dusted with golden or greenish iridescent flattened setae. The larvae are legless grubs living in the soil. This species can be found in Bangladesh, India, tropical Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. The occurrence of this pest has been noticed at several tea estates in Bangladesh, i.e., Monipur T.E., Moomincherra T.E., Amtoli T.E., Dinarpore T.E., Sathgaon T.E., Clonal T.E., Saif T.E., Madhupur T.E., Rajnagar T.E., Patrokhola T.E., Mathiura T.E., Zarin T.E., Bilashcherra Experimental Farm of BTRI, etc. Both the larvae and adults are crop pests. The larvae live and pupate in the soil, feeding on plant roots. The adult weevils are long-lived, damaging foliage and sometimes defoliating young bushes and nursery plants. It is a leaf-feeding pest, causing sporadic and irregular damage, making an irregular hole in maintenance (mostly) leaves. The pest normally attacks in May-June and September in the cropping season. The pest is difficult to control with chemicals due to the hard epidemic layer. However, Acephate (Asatap 75SP) @ 2.0g/liter of water or Bifenthrin (Talstar 2.5EC) @ 2.0 ml/liter of water, or Imidacloprid + Beta Cyfluthrin (Solomon 30OD) @ 1.0 ml/liter of water may be sprayed at a weekly interval. Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Lecanicillium muscarium are the potential entomopathogens that can be used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to get rid of green weevil and make safe tea.