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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 

 

  1. 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 

 

  1. 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 

 

  1. 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 

 

  1. 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 

 

  1. 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 

 

  1. 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 

 

  1. 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 

 

  1. 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 

 

  1. 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. 

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