• This is a major pest in South India.

Symptoms of damage

• Mites feed on the under surface of mature leaves.
• Assam type of tea - more susceptible to purple mite.
• Damaged leaves - coppery brown discolouration

Identification of the pest

• Adult - very small, spindle shaped and dark puple in colour
• Five longitudinal white waxy ridges on the dorsal side.

Management

• Spray any one of the following Insecticides
• Ethion 50 EC 500 ml/ha
• Fenazaquin 10 EC 1000 ml/ha
• Fenpyroximate 5 EC 300 – 600 ml/ha
• Flumite 20 SC or Flufenzine 20SC 400 – 500ml/ha
• Phosalone 35 EC 1028 ml/ha
• Propargite 57 EC 750 - 1250 ml/ha