Mealybugs suck the sap from pomegranate leaves and branches, weakening the tree. Infested leaves, fruit and branches show white, cotton-like patches, and ants are often seen on them. Heavy attacks can make leaves drop and branches die.

• Prune the infested leaves and shoot tips and destroy them.
• Wrap the trunk with clear polythene 15–20 cm above the soil at the base of the tree, so the mealybugs cannot climb up.
• Where possible, collect the clusters of eggs or young by hand and destroy them.
• Use the organic pesticide Nimbicidin (0.4%).
• If the attack is severe, spray with 2 ml of Rogor, Tafgor or Sungor, or Sumithion, or 2 g of Mipcin or Sopsin mixed in each litre of water.

Source: Staff Correspondent. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.