Abstract:
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Presl., Syn. Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) is an important
spice crop grown in Sri Lanka and some other countries in Southeast Asia. Although cinna
mon is a hardy plant, it is subjected to attack by a variety of insects and microbes. The major
insect and mite pests reported in Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asian countries include, a
jumping plant louse Trioza cinnamoni (Homoptera: Triozidae), a plant feeding mite Eriophyes
boisi (Acarina: Eriophyiidae), Synanthedon spp (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). The minor insect pests
reported are the lepidopteran caterpillars Chilasa clytia, Graphium sarpedon, Orthaga vitialis,
Dasychira mendosa, the fruit borer Alcides morio, and the leaf miner Acrocercops spp. The im
portant diseases of cinnamon reported are leaf spot/blight caused by Colletotrichum gloeo
sporioides and grey leaf spot/blight caused by Pestalotia cinnamomi. Phytopthora cinnamomi
causing stripe canker and the pink disease caused by Corticium salmonicolor affecting stems of
cinnamon and Phellinus lamaensis causing brown root rot have also aroused some attention by
the researchers. The Identification and management strategies adopted for the above pests and
diseases are reviewed.
