During this year's Spring Tea season, the overwintering generation of black scale insects became widespread, and green plant bugs occurred in significant numbers in some Tea-growing areas. Aphids, tea tussock moths, and gray tea geometrids were present in smaller quantities. With the completion of Tea Garden pruning, tea plants are now entering the summer growth phase.

The specific predictions for pest occurrence and recommended control measures are as follows:

Gray Tea Geometrid: Field surveys indicate that the second generation of gray tea geometrids began hatching on May 6th and are currently mostly in the second to third instar stage. As the number of this generation is relatively low, there is no need for separate chemical control. For plots with gray tea geometrids, gray tea geometrid traps can be hung at the end of May at a rate of 1-2 per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares); one set per acre. If insecticidal lamps are installed in the tea gardens, ensure they are functioning properly.

Tea Green Leafhopper:

Early summer temperatures and humidity levels are conducive to rapid reproduction of the tea green leafhopper. During the sprouting period of summer tea, it will enter its first peak period. It is recommended to hang yellow sticky traps at a rate of 25-30 per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares) after pruning to control the population and reduce the peak. For tea gardens with a high proportion of nymphs, biological pesticides such as 0.5% extract from Dihydrolupulin root, matrine, and Metarhizium anisopliae can be applied. Chemical controls include thiazine, pymetrozine, acetamiprid, flufenerim, chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb, dimethoate, and bifenthrin, which are registered for use on tea plants.

Tea Tussock Moth:

In southern Jiangsu tea gardens, overwintering tea tussock moth larvae were first observed on April 9th and are currently in the pupal stage. Adult emergence is expected to start on May 30th, entering the initial peak period on June 5th, with the peak occurring between June 8-10th. For tea gardens with low populations, tea tussock moth pheromone traps can be hung at the end of May to trap male adults. The second generation of tea tussock moth larvae is expected to hatch in large numbers between July 1-5th. For heavily infested tea gardens, Bacillus thuringiensis can be applied during the early larval stages (before the third instar). Chemical pesticides such as cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and bifenthrin can also be used.

Mites:

In summer tea gardens, tea orange spider mites predominate. Pruning after the spring tea harvest removed a large number of mites, effectively suppressing the population during the first peak period. As summer tea sprouts, the population gradually increases. To effectively control mite outbreaks, after tea sprouting, mineral oil (95% or higher purity) can be applied according to required dosages, or pesticides such as Dihydrolupulin root extract, azadirachtin, and chlorfenapyr can be used.

It is recommended to strengthen physical control measures and the application of tea pruning for pest management based on ecological regulation in tea gardens. Use biological pesticides and mineral-based pesticides during critical periods to control pest outbreaks. In Jiangsu tea gardens, accelerate the promotion of non-chemical control measures to ensure the quality and safety of tea from the source.