Important insect pests of major crops: Beverage - SS2 Agriculture Lesson Note

Cocoa Myrids (Capsids):

Identification: Cocoa mirids, also known as capsid bugs, are small insects belonging to the Miridae family. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts.

Crop Affected: Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is the primary crop affected by cocoa mirids. Cocoa is the key ingredient in chocolate and is a major beverage crop.

Damage: Cocoa mirids damage cocoa pods by piercing the outer shell and feeding on the inner pulp and seeds. This feeding causes several problems:

Reduced Yield: Affected pods yield fewer beans, reducing the overall cocoa harvest.

Quality Issues: Feeding on cocoa beans can result in reduced bean quality, affecting cocoa flavor and the final chocolate product.

Secondary Infections: The feeding wounds created by mirids can lead to fungal and bacterial infections in cocoa pods.

Lifecycle: Cocoa mirids have multiple generations throughout the year. They reproduce rapidly, making infestations challenging to control.