Alert in the coffee: How to monitor and control mealybugs

During the dry period, it is essential for coffee producers to be vigilant about mealybugs, pests that take shelter in the soil and, with the first rains, are attracted by the sugars from the flowers, starting to suck the sap from the aerial parts of the plants. According to Moniki Janegitz, an agricultural engineer and doctor of Agriculture, this behavior makes the beginning of the rainy season critical for the management of these pests. The specialist shared that by taking advantage of a broken branch for inspection, it was possible to closely analyze the presence of mealybugs, reinforcing the importance of constant vigilance. This type of monitoring allows for quicker preventive actions, preventing the infestation from spreading and compromising the productivity of the crops. For more effective control, Moniki recommends the use of TechaAtch, a natural adjuvant with extracts of neem, orange, and citronella. According to the specialist, it enhances the action of insecticides and ...