Tea pest and tea productivity are two antagonistic factors. Literally, the word, pest is a collective term for a wide range of organisms like virus, bacteria, algae, fungi, insects mites birds, rodents, etc. which are noxious, troublesome and destructive to crops, food-supply and human property.
In Bangladesh Tea, the annual crop loss due to various pests, diseases and weeds is estimated to be about 10-15%, of which 9% is caused by weed infestation alone. Besides, the yield-loss caused directly by major pest and diseases, many obscure and minor pest such as Termite, Taggotworm, Branch canker and root diseases permanently inhibitat the tea plantation. These contribute significantly to the debility of tea bushes. Moreover, crop losses to the extent of 50% or more may be inflicted by the advent of an epidemic or outbreak of specific pest or diseases in particular season or tea estate.
The weed flora in Bangladesh tea is virtually diversified in nature and as many as 36 weed species have so far been recoded. ( Sana, 1978.)
Today, the concept of pest management has, considering the pest problem as a part of whole ecosystem, become a multi-dimensional system, called Integrated Pest Management.(IPM). These concepts are economically viable and environmentally acceptable system of tea crop protection
