Control Effects of Natural Pyrethrins to Tea Green Leafhopper, Matsumurasca onukii, in Tea Fields

Abstract

The tea green leafhopper, Matsumurasca onukii Matsuda (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is one of the most serious insect pests of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) in the major tea-producing regions of East Asia, including Japan, China, and Taiwan. The damage caused by leafhoppers leads to a significant decrease in tea production. Although control of tea green leafhopper is especially important in the organic cultivation of tea, there are currently no pesticides that can be used against the leafhopper in organic cultivation of tea. Natural pyrethrins have been reported to be effective against Empoasca fabae Harris, a species closely related to tea green leafhoppers. In this study, we performed field experiments to evaluate the control effect of natural pyrethrins to tea green leafhopper. As a result, the treatment with natural pyrethrin reduced the densities of M. onukii eggs, nymphs, and adults on tea shoots and the degree of feeding damage to the same level as chemical pesticides used in conventional control.