AsaaseYaaSpider mites
Tiny mites under the leaves, sometimes with fine webbing. Leaves get pale speckles and dry out.
When it comes
| Crop | Stage | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Vegetative growth | Scout twice weekly |
| Pepper | Vegetative growth | Scout twice weekly |
| Soybean | Vegetative growth | Scout twice weekly |
| Yam | Vegetative growth | Scout every 2 weeks |
What to look for
Twice a week, turn over leaves and look underneath. Tiny white flies or green/black bugs in groups = aphids/whitefly. Fine spider-web on the leaves and silver-bronze leaf colour = spider mites (worse in dry weather). Curly white winding lines on leaves = leaf miners eating inside.
Twice a week, look under the leaves. Tiny insects in groups = aphids or whitefly. Silvery scars on leaves = thrips. Webbing or bronze leaves (worse in dry weather) = spider mites. White flies are the dangerous ones — they spread a yellow-vein virus.
Twice a week, turn over leaves and check underneath. Yellow then brown leaf tips = leafhoppers. Bronze/silver leaves with fine webbing = spider mites (worse in dry weather). Tiny green bugs in groups = aphids. Treat heavy infestations.
Every 2 weeks, look at the leaves and vines. Yellow patchy patterns on leaves = a virus (no cure — only prevention is using clean seed yam). White or brown crusty patches on stems = scale insects. Bronze-coloured leaves in dry weather = tiny mites.
Also watch for
General advice from crop guides for Ghana. Before you spray, ask your agro-input dealer for a product registered for this pest, read the label, and wear gloves. For a serious attack, call your district agriculture office or an agronomist.
Catch it early
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