The Mango Mealybug, Drosicha mangiferae, belonging to the Family Pseudococcidae of the Order Hemiptera, is native to India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. These insects are sap-sucking insect pests and are small, soft-bodied, wingless, and covered in a waxy, white coating. They feed on the sap of the mango trees and lay their eggs on the leaves, stems, and fruits.
This pest causes significant damage to the fruit, leaves, and stems, resulting in reduced yields and quality. They can also transmit diseases, such as bacterial blight, to the mango trees. To effectively manage this pest, it is important to understand its life cycle, its preferred habitats, and the best methods for controlling it. This article will provide an overview and discussion of the Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.
Mealybug Pest Management in Mango
Life Cycle of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
The life cycle of the mango Mealybug pest has four stages. They are egg, nymph, adult, and mating. The cycle begins when the female Mealybug lays eggs in clusters on the mango tree’s leaves, stems, fruit, or flowers. The eggs hatch into nymphs after about two weeks at the end of December. The first instar nymphs are known as climbers/crawlers. These nymphs climb the trees and feed on the sap of the mango tree, and they secrete a waxy substance that forms a protective covering around them.
The nymphs go through three stages of molt before reaching the adult stage. The adult stage is the most damaging stage of the Mealybugโs life cycle, as they feed on the mango tree sap and excrete honeydew, which can cause sooty mold on the leaves and fruit of the tree. Once the female Mealybug has mated, she will lay her eggs in clusters on the mango tree’s leaves, stems, fruit, or flowers in April and May. The eggs will hatch after about two weeks, and the cycle will start again.
Occurrence of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
- Location of Mango Mealybug pest: This pest infests mango crops in India, Africa, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
- Host range: The mango Mealybugs infect crops like Mango, Apple, Guava, Jamun, Jackfruit, Litchi, Peach, Plum, Apricot, Avocado, Coconut, Banana, Papaya, Mulberry, Pomegranate, Coffee, Grapes, Citrus crops, Grapevine, Ber, and Cherry.
Factors Favoring the Population Increase of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
- In areas with hot and dry weather, the mango Mealybug can thrive due to the lack of natural predators. The higher temperatures and dry conditions can accelerate their reproductive cycle.
- The lack of rainfall can make it difficult for other pests or natural predators to survive and control the population of the mango Mealybug.
- The presence of alternate hosts, like coconuts, bananas, papayas, etc., allows the pest to build up its population quickly.
In case you missed it: Mango Fruit Fly Pest Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, Natural, and Organic Control
Identification of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
- Eggs: The eggs are small, oval-shaped, and white, surrounded by a shining pink-colored waxy secretion.
- Nymph: The young Mealybugs, or nymphs, are pale yellow and covered with a white, waxy coating.
- Adults: The adult Mealybugs are crimson red and covered in a white mealy powder. They have long antennae and a pair of black-colored wing buds.
Damage Symptoms of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
- Mango Mealybugs feed on the sap of mango plants, leading to stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and premature fruit drop.
- The adult Mealybugs and the pinkish nymphs can be seen on fruits.
- Drying and withering of the leaves and inflorescence can be observed.
- The crawler nymphs climb onto the trees and suck the sap from tender shoots and pedicels, damaging the inflorescence, causing flower drops, affecting fruit sets, and ultimately reducing the yield.
- The adult bugs are covered in white mealy powder and colonize the tree bark and tender parts of the tree.
- They secrete a sticky substance that is known as honeydew that facilitates the growth of the fungus Meliola mangiferae, commonly known as sooty mold.
Percentage of Yield Loss in Mango due to Mango Mealybug Pest
- In India, the percentage of yield loss due to mango Mealybug pests is around 40%. In Bangladesh, the losses are about 30%. In the United States, the losses range between 5-15%. In Africa, it is at 25%. In the Philippines, the losses are at 20%. In Thailand, it is at 10%. In Indonesia, the losses are about 15%.
- The Economic Threshold Level (ETL) for the mango Mealybug pest is set at 4-8 Mealybugs per leaf or 10-20 mealybugs per tree.
Cultural Control of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
- Sanitation โ Collect and destroy damaged leaves, fruits, and other crop debris from the field to reduce the intensity of the pest.
- Ploughing โ Plough the field during the summers to expose the underlying eggs of the Mealybugs to natural enemies and scorching heat. And remove grasses and weeds like Clerodendrum spp. in June and July.
- Pruning โ Removing damaged plant parts like branches and damaged fruits on the trees can help improve the plants’ health.
- Alternate hosts โ Remove alternative hosts like Coffee, Avocado, Jamun, Jackfruit, etc., to reduce the pestsโ intensity.
- Traps โ Use yellow sticky traps to attract and trap the mealybug and dispose of them safely.
Biological Control of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
- Natural predators like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, Australian ladybird beetle, are used to control this pest. Ladybugs feed on the Mealybug larvae, while lacewings and wasps feed on the adult Mealybugs.
- Parasitoid wasp larvae, Anagyrus mangicola, feed on the pestโs body and eventually kill it.
- The fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae infect and kill the pest.
Chemical Control of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
- Spray Acephate, Quinalphos, Methyldemeton, Malathion, Monocrotophos, and Dimethoate helps to control the young nymphs of the pest.
- Apply Chlorpyriphos or Methyl parathion only if necessary, when the pest is severe.
Preventive Measures for Control of Mango Mealybug Pest in Mango Crop
- Use Polythene bands to prevent the nymphs from crawling onto the trees in December.
- Tie a jute thread on the stem and apply mud of the fruit tree grease on the lower side of the jute thread to prevent the climbing of nymphs.
- Place pheromone traps near the mango trees to monitor the presence of mealybugs.
In case you missed it: Mango Stem Borer Pest Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, Natural, and Organic Control
Conclusion
The Mango Mealybug Pest is a major problem for mango crops, as it can cause significant damage to the crop, leading to reduced yields. Effective control and management of this pest by cultural, chemical, and biological control are essential for maintaining the health of mango crops. With these control measures, the Mango Mealybug Pest can be successfully managed, and the health of mango crops can be maintained.
- Red Rust on Guava Leaves? How I Cleared Red Rust on Guava Naturally
- How to Fix Yellowing Betel Leaf: 15 Steps for Reviving Dying Plant
- How to Get Rid of Bugs on Lettuce: 15 DIY Natural and Organic Treatments
- How to Prevent Mold in Homemade Fertilizers: Natural and Organic Tips
- How to Get Rid of Hollyhock Rust Naturally in 16 Steps
- How to Get Rid of Figeater Beetles Naturally in 16 Steps
- Organic Cutworm Barriers for Corn: 14 Effective Natural Solutions
- How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats on Oxalis: 12 Effective Organic and Natural Homemade DIY Solutions
- How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees: 14 Effective Organic and Natural Methods