Population dynamics of white mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the third most important fruit crop in the tropics following citrus and banana. It is consumed as a fresh fruit and different forms of preparations for its multifaceted nutritional values. Mango production in Ethiopia is constrained by infestation of white mango scale (WMS), Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead. White mango scale was recorded from Ethiopia for the first time in 2010, in a mango orchard in Loko in the western part of the country. This study was conducted from June 2013 to May 2014 to document the population dynamics of white mango scale in Western Ethiopia. Randomized Complete Block Design was used for the sampling in two mango orchards, Arjo and Bako. Scale population peaked in April at Arjo and in May at Bako showed marked decline with decreasing precipitation. Abundances of eggs, crawlers and sessile stages of the scale showed significant differences among most of the study months (P0.05). The abundance of sessile scales was significantly higher at Bako than at Arjo (P0.05). In both study areas, white mango scales were significantly more abundant on the upper leaf surfaces than the lower (P0.05). At Bako, male scale numbers were significantly higher than those of the females (P0.05). The study found that the decline and build-up of white mango scale populations are affected by rainfall, whereas the effects of other environmental factors on scale numbers need to be investigated.

A Review of White Mango Scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead; Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Sub-Saharan Africa: Distribution, Impact and Management Strategies

“…This insect family has been reported to have over 300 species, some of which are classified as pests (like A. tubercularis Newstead) (Urías-López et al, 2010). The biological cycle of A. tubercularis is highly influenced by the prevailing climatic conditions, mainly rainfall, temperature (Ofgaa et al, 2018) and sex (Arias et al, 2004). According to the Northern Territory Government of Australia (2019), the cycle takes 35-40 days in summer, 70-85 days in winter.…”

Pest categorisation of Aulacaspis tubercularis

“…A. tubercularis is a serious pest on mango in Australia, East and West Africa, North and South America, and the Caribbean Islands (Nabil et al, 2012). It has become a devastating pest to mango fruit in western Ethiopia (Ofgaa and Emana, 2015) where it has emerged to be the second most important mango pest after anthracnose disease (Anjulo, 2019). It also causes significant damages on mango in South Africa, and it is one of the most destructive pests of mango trees in Egypt (Bakry and Abdel‐Baky, 2020).…”

Characterization of fruit production and market performance in northwest Ethiopia

“…White mango scale is one of the most common insect pests of mango plants in Ethiopia, along with the study locations. In the meantime, pesticides to control white mango scale were developed in Ethiopia, including Folmit 500 SL, Methidathion 400 EC, and Movento 150 OD (Ayalew et al 2015 ; Ofgaa and Emana 2015 ).…”