10 Common Pests Of Watermelon You Need To Know About And How To Control Them

Watermelon, scientifically known as Citrullus lanatus, belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae which includes other plants such as cucumber, squash and pumpkin. The watermelon plant is a vine-like plant that is typically grown in warm, tropical or subtropical climates. The fruit is dominant during summer season especially due to its high-water content and delicious taste. Major watermelon producing states in India includes Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Orissa. Watermelon crops are susceptible to a variety of pests that can cause significant damage to the plants and reduce the overall yield of the crop.  

Common insect pests affecting watermelon crops are discussed here;

1. Red Pumpkin Beetle

Scientific name: Aulacophora foveicollis 

Pest stage of attack: Larva and adult 

Stage of occurrence: Seedling/Vegetative stage 

Identification of Symptoms

• Complete destruction of seedling due to adult feeding
• Leaves show riddled holes or notches due to beetle infestation leading to complete defoliation
• Larvae feed on roots and stems causing rotting and withering

• The beetles may also feed on the fruits, causing scars or holes, which can lead to rotting or sunburned spots on the fruit
• The undersurface of the fruits touching the soil surface will have larval tunnels in the surface.

Management of Red Pumpkin Beetle in Watermelon

Product Name	Technical content	Dosage
Mechanical Management
Barrix Magic Sticker Chromatic trap yellow sheet	Chromatic trap	10 sheets/acre
Biological Management
Multiplex Metarhizium Insecticide	Metarhizium anisopliae	10 gm/lit water
Katyayani Neem Oil	Activated neem oil	5 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Polytrin C 44 EC Insecticide	Profenofos 40% + Cypermethrin 4% EC	2 ml/lit water
Tafgor Insecticide or	Dimethoate 30% SC	2 ml/lit water
Rogor Insecticide		2 ml/lit water
Katyayani Acepro Insecticide	Acetamiprid 20% SP	0.5 gm/lit water
Ampligo Insecticide	Chlorantraniliprole (10 %) + Lambdacyhalothrin (5%) ZC	0.5 ml/lit water

 

2. Fruit fly

Scientific name: Bactrocera cucurbitae 

Pest stage of attack: Maggots 

Stage of occurrence: Fruiting stage 

Identification of Symptoms

• The female fruit fly lays eggs under the skin of the fruit, which causes small puncture marks on the surface of the watermelon
• After the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the fruit and feed on the flesh, contaminating it with frass excreta, thus making it susceptible to secondary infections by fungi and bacteria
• The damage caused by the fruit flies can cause rotting and premature dropping of fruits
• Infected fruits become distorted and malformed.

Management of Fruit fly in Watermelon

Product Name	Technical content	Dosage
Mechanical Management
Tapas fruit fly trap	Pheromone lure	6 – 8 per acre
Entrap cucurbit fruit fly trap	Trap	5 – 7 traps/acre for low fruit fly infestation area 7- 10 traps/acre for high fruit fly infestation area
Biological Management
Econeem Plus	Azadiractin 10000 PPM	3 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Coragen Insecticide	Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC	0.3 ml/lit
Decis 2.8 EC Insecticide	Deltamethrin 2.8 EC	1.5 – 2 ml/lit water
Polytrin C 44 EC Insecticide	Profenofos 40% + Cypermethrin 4% EC	2 ml/lit water
Alika Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC	0.5 ml/lit water
BACF Endtask Insecticide	Fipronil 40% + Imidacloprid 40% WDG	0.5 gm/lit water

 

3. Thrips

Scientific name: Thrips tabaci 

Pest stage of attack: Larva and adult 

Stage of occurrence: Vegetative, flowering, fruiting stage  

Identification of Symptoms

• Thrips feed on the leaf surface and suck the plant juice causing small, silvery white or stippling spots on the leaves
• Under severe infestation, the leaves turn yellow, wither and become deformed. This can lead to reduced plant growth and yield
• They may feed on the flowers of the plant, causing them to drop prematurely, which can reduce the number of fruit that the plant produces
• Thrips may also feed on the watermelon fruits causing scarred or distorted fruit.

Management of Thrips in Watermelon

Product Name	Technical content	Dosage
Mechanical Management
Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap	22 cm x 28 cm	6 – 8/acre
Biological Management
Pesto Raze Bio-insecticide	Botanical Extracts	2 ml/lit water
Control TRM Bio-pesticide	Organic blend of botanical extracts	2 ml/lit water
Econeem Plus	Azadiractin 10000 ppm	2 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Benevia Insecticide	Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD	1.7 – 2 ml/lit water
Police Insecticide	Fipronil 40% + Imidacloprid 40% WG	0.3 gm/lit water
Meothrin Insecticide	Fenpropathrin 30% EC	0.5 ml/lit water
Caper Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25%WG	0.3 gm/lit water
Confidor Insecticide	Imidacloprid 17.8% SL	0.75 ml/lit water
Lancer gold Insecticide	Acephate 50 % + Imidacloprid 1.8 % SP	2 gm/lit water
Osheen Insecticide	Dinotefuran 20 % SG	0.3 gm/lit water
Jump Insecticide	Fipronil 80% WG	0.3 gm/lit water

 

4. Aphids

Scientific name: Peach aphid – Myzus persicae; Melon aphid – Aphis gossypii 

Pest stage of attack: Nymph and adult 

Stage of occurrence: Seedling, Vegetative, flowering  

Vector: Watermelon Mosaic Virus 

Identification of Symptoms

• Small, pear-shaped, soft bodies insects can be found on leaves or stems of the plant
• Aphids’ feeds on the tender shoots and under surface of the leaves by sucking the leaf sap causing curling and crinkling of the leaves
• They secrete a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew, which causes black sooty mould development that accumulates on the leaves and attracts other insects, such as ants
• This also reduces the photosynthetic activity leading to stunted growth.

Management of Aphids in Watermelon

Product Name	Technical content	Dosage
Mechanical Management
Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap	11 cm x 28 cm	4 – 6/acre
Biological Management
Amruth Alestra Liquid	Verticillium lecanii	2 ml/lit water
Ecotin Insecticide	Azadirachtin 5% EC	0.5 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Polytrin C 44 EC Insecticide	40% (Profenofos) + 4% (Cypermethrin) EC	2 ml/lit water
Omite Insecticide	Propargite 57% EC	1.5 – 2.5 ml/lit water
Keefun Insecticide	Tolfenpyrad 15% EC	2 ml/lit water
Alika Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC	0.5 ml/lit water
Areva Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25% WG	0.3 gm/lit water
Tatamida SL Insecticide	Imidacloprid 17.8% SL	1 ml/lit water
Osheen Insecticide	Dinotefuran 20 % SG	0.3 gm/lit water
Ulala Insecticide	Flonicamid 50 WG	0.3 gm/lit water

 

5. Whitefly

Scientific name: Bemisia tabaci 

Pest stage of attack: Nymph and adult 

Stage of occurrence: Vegetative, flowering stage 

Vector: Watermelon leaf curl virus 

Identification of Symptoms

• Feeding activity of nymph and adult may lead to yellowing, downward curling and drying of leaves
• They also cause sooty mould development due to honeydew secretion causing restricted photosynthesis
• It can cause the leaves to turn yellow (chlorotic spots) and fall off prematurely
• Affected leaves may become deformed.

Management of Whitefly in Watermelon

Product Name	Technical Content	Dosage
Mechanical Management
Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap	11 cm x 28 cm	4 – 6/acre
Biological Management
Amruth Alestra Liquid	Verticillium lecanii	2 ml/lit water
T.Stanes Nimbecidine	Azardiractin 300 PPM (EC formulation)	5-10 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Tychi Insecticide	Tolfenpyrad 15% EC	2 ml/lit water
Oberon Insecticide	Spiromesifen 22.9 % SC	0.3 ml/lit water
Pager Insecticide	Diafenthiuron 50% WP	1.2 gm/lit water
Ulala Insecticide	Flonicamid 50 WG	0.3 gm/lit water
Actara Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25 % WG	0.5 gm/lit water
Tatamida SL Insecticide	Imidacloprid 17.8% SL	1-2ml/lit water
Kaitaku Insecticide	Acetamiprid 20 % SP	0.1 – 0.2 ml/lit

 

6. Leaf eating caterpillar

Scientific name: Diaphania indica 

Pest stage of attack: Larva 

Stage of occurrence: Vegetative stage 

Identification of Symptoms

• Caterpillars feed on the young and tender leaves of watermelon plants, which can result in holes and ragged edges on the leaves
• They fold the leaves and scrape the epidermal layer of leaves causing skeletonization of the leaves, where only the veins of the leaf remain intact
• Under severe infestation, it can cause defoliation of leaves, thus reducing plant growth and vigor, resulting in smaller plants and fruit.

Management of Leaf eating caterpillar in Watermelon

Product Name	Technical content	Dosage
Biological Management
Anshul Bio Finish (Bio Pesticide)	Plant extracts	3 – 5 ml/lit water
Amruth Alnym Bio Pesticide	Azadirachtin 0.15% – 1500 ppm
Chemical Management
Coragen Insecticide	Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC	0.3 ml/lit water
Jashn Super Insecticide	Profenofos 40% + Cypermethrin 4% EC	2 ml/lit water
Zapac Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC	0.3 ml/lit water
Plethora Insecticide	Novaluron 5.25% + Indoxacarb 4.5% w/w SC	2 ml/lit water
Rilon Insecticide	Emamectin benzonate 5% SG	0.5 gm/lit water

 

7. Serpentine Leaf Miner

Scientific name: Liriomyza trifolli 

Pest stage of attack: Larva 

Stage of occurrence: Vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage 

Identification of Symptoms

• Serpentine leaf miners create winding, snake-like tunnels on the leaves as they feed on the leaf tissue
• It can cause the infested leaves to turn yellow or brown
• Under severe infestation, these leaves dry and drop off from the plant
• It may lead to stunted growth of the plant and reduce the overall plant vigour
• The larva sometimes tunnels through the rind of the fruit, causing scars and reducing the fruit’s quality and marketability.

Management of Serpentine Leaf Miner in Watermelon

Product Name	Technical Name	Dosage
Mechanical Management
Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap	11 cm x 28 cm	4 – 6/acre
Barrix magic sticker chromatic trap blue sheet	Chromatic trap	8 sheets/acre
Biological Management
Terra might	Herbal formulation	3 – 7 ml/lit water
Eco neem plus	Azadiractin 10000 PPM	1.6 – 2.4 ml/lit water
Sun Bio beviguard	Beauveria bassiana / brongniartii	5 ml/lit water
Nanobee Agrokill Insecticide	Nano Colloidal Micelles 100% (Fatty Acid based Plant Extracts)	3 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Benevia Insecticide	Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD	1.7 – 2 ml/lit water
Ekalux Insecticide	Quinalphos 25 % EC	2 ml/lit water
Confidor Insecticide	Imidacloprid 17.8% SL	0.75 to 1 ml/lit water
Police Insecticide	Fipronil 40% + Imidacloprid 40% WG	0.2 – 0.6 gm/lit water
Sivanto Bayer Insecticide	Flupyradifurone 17.09% SL	2 ml/lit water
Katyayani Acepro Insecticide	Acetamiprid 20% SP	0.5 gm/lit water

 

8. Red Spider Mite

Scientific name: Tetranychus urticae 

Pest stage of attack: Adult 

Stage of occurrence: Vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage 

Identification of Symptoms

• Red spider mites using their long, needle like mouthpart, suck the chlorophyll content in the leaves and causes chlorosis
• They feed on the underside of leaves, which can result in stippling or small yellow or white dots on the upper surface of the leaves
• They often produce fine webbing on the leaf surface
• Affected leaves completely dry and drop off.

Management of Red Spider Mite in Watermelon

Product name	Technical content	Dosage
Biological Management
Royal Clear Mite	100% derived from plant extracts	2 ml/lit water
R Mite Bio Acaricide	Plant extracts	1 – 2 ml/ lit water
PerfoMite	Phyto-extracts – 30%, Enzyme extracts – 5%, Chitin Dissolvers	2 ml / 1 lit water
Chemical Management
Oberon Insecticide	Spiromesifen 22.9% SC	0.3 ml /lit water
Abacin Insecticide	Abamectin 1.9% EC	0.7 ml /lit water
Maiden Insecticide	Hexythiazox 5.45% EC	1 ml /lit water
Intrepid insecticide	Chlorfenapyr 10% SC	2 ml/lit water
Danitol Insecticide	Fenpropathrin 10% EC	1.5 ml/lit water
Movento Energy	Spirotetramat 11.01% + Imidacloprid 11.01% SC	0.5 – 1 ml/lit water

 

9. Cutworms

Scientific name: Agrotis spp, Peridroma saucia, Nephelodes minians, Spodoptera litura  

Pest stage of attack: Larva 

Stage of occurrence: Seedling stage  

Identification of Symptoms

• Cutworms often feed on the stems of young watermelon plants, cutting them at or near the soil line. This can cause the plant to wilt or die
• They feed on the leaves, causing irregular holes or notches in the foliage
• They are nocturnal and may not be visible during the day, but emerge at night, by burrowing in the soil near the base of the plant.

Management of Cutworms in Watermelon

Product name	Technical content	Dosage
Mechanical Management
Tapas Tobacco Caterpillar Lure	Pheromone lure	Funnel trap with Spodo-O-lure at 6/acre
Biological Management
Katyayani BT Bio Larvicide	Bacillus thuringiensis	10 ml/lit water
Dr.Bacto’s Brave	Beauveria bassiana	2.5 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Proclaim Insecticide or	Emamectin Benzonate 5% SG	0.4 gm/lit water
Starclaim Insecticide		0.5 gm/lit water
Tracer Insecticide	Spinosad 44.03% SC	0.3 ml/lit water
Ampligo Insecticide	Chlorantraniliprole 10% + Lambda cyhalothrin 5% ZC	0.5 ml/lit water
Hamla 550	Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	2 ml/lit water
Meothrin Insecticide	Fenpropathrin 30% EC	0.5 ml/lit water

 

10. Cucumber Beetle

Scientific name: Diabrotica spp 

Attacking stage of pest – Larva and adult 

Stage of occurrence – Vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage 

Vector – Bacterial wilt disease 

Identification of Symptoms

• Larvae feed on the roots of the plants, causing wilting and stunting
• Adult cucumber beetles feed on the foliage of watermelon plants, causing defoliation and thus reduces photosynthesis.

• They feed on the surface of the watermelon fruit, leaving shallow, irregularly shaped scars on the rind. This type of cosmetic damage may not affect the quality of the fruit, but it can reduce its marketability.

Management of Cucumber Beetle in Watermelon

Product name	Technical content	Dosage
Biological Management
Econeem Azadirachtin 3000 PPM	Azadirachtin 0.3% EC	2.5 – 3 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Karate Insecticide	Lambdacyhalothrin 5% EC	1.5 – 1.65 ml/lit water
Danitol Insecticide	Fenpropathrin 10% EC	1.5 – 2 ml/lit water
Anshul Ikon Insecticide	Acetamiprid 20% SP	0.5 gm/lit water

NOTE:  

• Refer to the product label to find the right time of application and more details of the product.
• It is advised to spray Bio-fungicides during early morning or evening hours when the temperature is relatively cool to get best results.

Conclusion

Insect pests can affect watermelon plants at any stage of growth, from seedlings to mature plants and can cause damage to the leaves, stems and fruit. This can result in reduced plant growth, decreased fruit quality and size and in severe cases, even plant death. Effective pest management strategies, such as regular monitoring, good agronomic practices and the use of chemical and biological control methods, can help in controlling the pest damage, protect the yield and quality of watermelon crops.