AsaaseYaaFlea beetles
Small shiny beetles that jump when touched and chew many tiny holes in okra leaves.
What it looks like
Every field looks a little different. If you are not sure, ask in the app’s Farmers, or ask an agronomist.
When it comes
| Crop | Stage | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Okra | Establishment | Scout daily for first 2 weeks |
| Okra | Vegetative growth | Scout twice weekly |
| Okra | Flowering | Scout twice weekly |
| Okra | Fruiting | Scout every 3 days |
What to look for
Young okra is fragile. Check every day for the first 2 weeks. Tiny holes chewed in the leaves = flea beetles. Small green/black bugs grouped under leaves = aphids. Spray neem extract early; seedlings cut at soil level wilting = damping-off, pull and burn them.
Twice a week, look at the leaves. Many small holes = flea beetles. Bugs in groups under leaves = aphids. Tiny white flies that fly up when you touch the plant are the dangerous ones — they spread the leaf-curl virus. Reflective mulch and neem help.
When flowers appear, keep checking twice a week. Whiteflies and aphids spread virus and weaken the plant. Reflective mulch under the plants confuses the flies; neem and soapy sprays knock them back.
Every 3 days while picking, check the leaves and new pods. Curled, distorted young leaves = the leaf-curl virus spread by whiteflies — pull badly affected plants out. Keep flea beetles and aphids in check with neem.
What to do
Chew tiny holes in leaves. Control with neem seed extract or targeted synthetic pyrethroids.
Insects are eating the leaves
Caterpillars, beetles or grasshoppers chew holes and bite the edges.
- Check early in the morning, when insects are slow. Pick caterpillars off by hand into a tin of soapy water.
- Look inside the funnel of young maize — fall armyworm hides there.
- If many plants are hit, spray a neem mix, or ask the agro-shop for a caterpillar spray made for your crop and follow the label.
Don’t: Do not spray every week "just in case". Spray only when you see the pests.
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
AsaaseYaa reminds you when to check your crop for pests, and shows you what to look for. Free.