Here are the scientific names, family, damaging stage, nature of damage, oviposition and pupation sites, and management strategies for several pests that affect mango trees:
1. Mango Stem Borer:
- Scientific Name: Batocera rufomaculata
- Family: Cerambycidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae bore into the stem and branches, causing extensive damage to the vascular system, weakening the tree, and leading to wilting and dieback.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs on cracks or wounds on the bark. Larvae tunnel into the wood, forming galleries where they pupate.
- Management: Prune and destroy infested branches. Apply insecticides to the trunk and branches during the adult emergence period.
2. Mango Stone Weevil:
- Scientific Name: Sternochetus mangiferae
- Family: Curculionidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae and adults
- Nature of Damage: Larvae feed on the mango stones, resulting in reduced fruit quality and yield. Adults also cause damage by feeding on the foliage and creating feeding scars on the fruit.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs inside the mango stones. Larvae develop and pupate within the stone.
- Management: Collect and destroy infested fallen fruits. Apply insecticides during the adult emergence period.
3. Mango Fruit Fly:
- Scientific Name: Bactrocera dorsalis
- Family: Tephritidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae feed on the pulp of the mango fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs in the fruit. Larvae develop and pupate inside the fruit.
- Management: Implement fruit fly monitoring traps. Apply insecticides and practice fruit bagging to protect the fruit from infestation.
4. Mealybugs:
- Scientific Name: Phenacoccus solenopsis
- Family: Pseudococcidae
- Damaging Stage: Adults and nymphs
- Nature of Damage: Mealybugs suck sap from leaves, shoots, and fruits, causing stunted growth, leaf curling, honeydew secretion, and sooty mold development.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. Nymphs and adults remain on the plant for feeding.
- Management: Use biological control agents like parasitic wasps and ladybird beetles. Apply insecticides if infestations are severe.
5. Mango Hoppers:
- Scientific Name: Idioscopus spp.
- Family: Cicadellidae
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: Hoppers suck sap from the leaves, causing yellowing, wilting, and premature leaf drop. Heavy infestations can result in reduced yield.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. Nymphs and adults remain on the plant for feeding.
- Management: Implement regular monitoring and early detection. Use insecticides if populations exceed the economic threshold.
6. Shoot Borer:
- Scientific Name: Chlumetia transversa
- Family: Pyralidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae bore into tender shoots, causing wilting, shoot dieback, and distortion. Infested shoots may have gum exudation.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs near the base of young shoots. Larvae tunnel inside the shoot, creating galleries where they pupate.
- Management: Prune and destroy infested shoots. Apply insecticides during shoot emergence and early growth stages.
7. Thrips:
- Scientific Name: Scirtothrips dorsalis
- Family: Thripidae
- Damaging Stage: Adults and nymphs
- Nature of Damage: Thrips feed on young leaves, causing silvering, scarring, and distortion. They can also transmit viruses.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs in plant tissue, including leaves and flowers. Nymphs and adults remain on the plant for feeding.
- Management: Use reflective mulches or sticky traps to deter thrips. Apply insecticides if populations reach damaging levels.
8. Slug Caterpillar:
- Scientific Name: Euclea delphinii
- Family: Limacodidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae feed on leaves, leaving behind irregular holes and skeletonized foliage. Contact with the caterpillar's spines can cause skin irritation.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. Larvae feed and pupate on the plant.
- Management: Handpick and destroy caterpillars. Apply insecticides if necessary.
9. Midge Fly:
- Scientific Name: Dasineura mangiferae
- Family: Cecidomyiidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae cause the formation of gall-like structures on young shoots and panicles, leading to distorted growth and reduced fruiting.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs on young shoots or flower buds. Larvae develop inside the galls.
- Management: Prune and destroy infested shoots. Apply insecticides during shoot emergence and flowering.
10. Leaf Gall:
- Scientific Name: Procontarinia mangiferae
- Family: Cecidomyiidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: Larvae induce galls on mango leaves, resulting in leaf distortion, curling, and reduced photosynthesis.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Females lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. Larvae develop inside the galls.
- Management: Prune and destroy infested leaves. Apply insecticides during leaf emergence.
It's important to note that specific pest species and their management strategies may vary depending on the geographical location and regional conditions. Local agricultural authorities and experts should be consulted for precise pest identification and management recommendations.
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