COMMON NAMESLarge black tip wilter (English); verwelkbesie (Afrikaans); No local names are recorded.PEST STATUSThe large black tip wilter is found in all four regions of north central Namibia. No damage has yet been noticed on communal farms, but the pest may be of importance in mango plantations around Tsumeb. More information is needed to determine the pest status. On communal farms, the large black tip wilter is mainly found on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and other legumes. In vegetable gardens, the tip wilters often gather on eggplants if available.DESCRIPTIONEggs of the tip wilter are not obvious under field conditions.The first nymphal stages look like black ants with a clear yellow stripe across the abdomen. Older nymphs are brown or orange-brown, and have two large red spots on the underside with striped orange and brown antennae. The adult bug is 23 mm long and dark brown. It flies readily and visits mainly legumes. Severe damage has not been reported yet. CONTROLControl cannot be recommended as long as serious damage has not yet been reported. Tip wilters are quite large, so farmers may hand pick them if they choose to control the pest.OTHER27 January 2001:Large black tip wilter caused considerable damage on seedlings of Sausage tree, Mango and Avocado at Onankali Nursery, Oshikoto region. The tip wilter did not attack the Marula seedlings or Dodonea seedlings.
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