Pest guide · Sap-sucking insects
Sap-sucking insects: identification and control
Aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, whiteflies, mealybugs and scales all feed the same way — by sucking sap. Learn the signs of each and how one EcoAgta EZ3+ spray helps control them together.
What are sap-sucking insects?
Sap-sucking insects have needle-like mouthparts that pierce leaves, shoots and fruit to drink the plant's sap. Because they feed from inside the plant, they weaken it quickly and can carry viral diseases from one plant to the next.
The common sap-sucking pests on Indian farms are whiteflies, aphids, thrips, leafhoppers (jassids), mealybugs, soft scales and felt scales, psyllids and lace bugs. Spider mites are not insects, but they feed in the same way and cause similar damage.
These pests multiply fast and often attack together, so farmers who spray for one usually find another one following close behind.
Signs of sap-sucking pests
- Curling, cupping or crinkled leaves and twisted new shoots
- Yellow speckling, or silvery patches on leaves (thrips)
- Leaf edges turning yellow, then brown (leafhopper 'hopper burn')
- Sticky honeydew, ants on the plant and black sooty mold
- Flower drop, fruit drop and stunted plants
Damage caused by sap-sucking insects
The damage builds up quietly, and by the time leaves curl the yield is already affected.
Weak, stunted plants
Constant sap loss starves new growth, so shoots stay small, leaves curl and flowers and fruit drop.
Viral diseases
Aphids, whiteflies, thrips and leafhoppers carry mosaic, leaf-curl and other viruses across a field.
Honeydew and sooty mold
Aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, scales and psyllids leave honeydew that attracts ants and grows black sooty mold.
Crops commonly attacked by sap-sucking insects
- Cotton
- Chilli
- Brinjal
- Okra
- Tomato
- Groundnut
- Pulses
- Cardamom
- Mango
- Coconut
- Guava
- Citrus
- Mulberry
EcoAgta EZ3+
How EcoAgta EZ3+ helps control sap-sucking insects
Instead of a separate product for each pest, EZ3+ acts on the whole group of sap-sucking insects listed on its label, and on the sooty mold they leave behind.
- Helps control whiteflies, aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, mealybugs, soft and felt scales, psyllids, lace bugs and spider mites
- Helps prevent the spread of diseases carried by these insects, by keeping the insects away
- Helps prevent sooty mold fungus on honeydew-covered leaves
- Supports plant growth, photosynthesis and natural immunity
- Non-toxic and readily biodegradable — zero harm to air, water and soil
How to spray EZ3+ for sap-sucking insects
- Tree & plantation crops — guava, mango, coconut, lemon, lime, tapioca
- 1:300 first spray, then 1:400
- Soft-leaf crops — tomato, chilli, cucumber, groundnut
- 1:400
- Tender compound-leaf plants
- 1:400
- 1:300 is about 3.3 mL of EZ3+ per litre of water; 1:400 is 2.5 mL per litre.
- Use fresh well or stream water. Non-chlorinated water is preferable.
- Pour the concentrate into a clean drum of water and mix well for 5 minutes.
- Spray between 6:00 and 10:30 AM, or between 3:30 and 6:30 PM.
- Cover every leaf and part of the plant, including the undersides of leaves where these pests feed.
- Spray when the pest is seen — about three times in a growing season.
Important information
Product performance varies with crop, climate, pest pressure and application practice. Always read the product label before use.
Farmers on controlling sap-sucking pests with EZ3+
Reports from farmers who used EcoAgta EZ3+, in their own words.
Eradicated Whiteflies & Reduced Fungus
After spraying EcoAgta EZ3+ in our mango and coconut farm twice in a year, we have completely eradicated whiteflies and other sap sucking insects. The problem of fungus during the fruit season has also reduced substantially. The fruits are much bigger and better.
Mr. T. R. ThyaharajanMango & Coconut · Shenbaga Thoppu, Srivilliputtur, Tamil Nadu Reduced Withholding Period from 20 to 10 Days
EZ3+ completely repelled and controlled Whiteflies and Aphids in our Mulberry bushes and completely controlled the fungal attack in a week’s time. The use of EZ3+ has reduced the withholding period from 20 days to 10; this increases our productivity. The silk worms which feed on the leaves treated with EZ3+ are healthy and produce 0.012 grams of silk per cocoon.
Farm ManagerMulberry & Silk · Petchabun, Thailand Multi-Crop Fungal & Pest Control
I recommended the EZ3+ product to farmers across the Mamsapuram region. Farmers who used it on diverse crops including brinjal, okra, cluster beans, snake gourd, elephant foot yam, papaya, and lemon reported excellent results in controlling whiteflies, mealybugs, and sooty mold fungus. EZ3+ has truly helped farmers manage pest pressures and safeguard their crops.
Mr. VaradarajanBrinjal, Okra, Cluster Beans, Snake Gourd, Yam, Papaya, Lemon · Mamsapuram, Sivakasi
Sap-sucking insects — frequently asked questions
What are sap-sucking insects?
Which sap-sucking pests does EZ3+ act on?
Can one spray control several sap-sucking pests at once?
How do I get rid of ants and sooty mold on my plants?
What dose of EZ3+ should I use on vegetables?
How often should I spray?
More pest control guides
Sap-sucking pests on your crop?
Tell us your crop and the pest you are seeing. Our technical team will suggest a dose and spray schedule.