Abstract:
Insect pests are among the most important biotic factors limiting mango production in Ethiopia.
White mango scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead) is an invasive pest currently posing series
problem on mango in the country. There are limited and/or no effective control options available
for the management of the pest. Thus, it is important to investigate various pest management
options as standalone and/or in an integrated pest management approach. The objective of this
study was therefore, to evaluate different insecticides, detergents, mineral oils and pruning for
the management of white mango scale at Raj agro industry LTD farm on established trees. Eight
insecticides and un-treated (control) were used as treatments with and without pruning for
evaluation the efficacy of different insecticides and pruning. Thus there were a total of 18
combination treatments. Randomized Complete Block Design in factorial were used and
replicated three times. Mineral oil, ordinary vegetable oil, white oil (the mixture of oil and liquid
soap) and pruning were used alone and combination as treatments for evaluation of different
oils, detergent and pruning. In total 11 treatments including untreated (control). The treatments
were arranged in a randomized complete block designs and replicated three times. Twelve leaves
were randomly picked from the lower branch of each tree in four cardinal directions. The
number of crawler, male and female white mango scale were counted using a stereoscopic
microscope. Movento 150 OD (1.57) after first application and Dimethoate 40% EC (2.3) after
second application were found effective in management of white mango scale for efficacy of
different insecticides and pruning. Pruning also significantly decreased the number of WMS
after first (23.83) and second (14.66) application compared to non-pruned treatments. Mineral
oil plus white oil showed lower number of white mango scale after first and second application
of treatments (15.97) and (8.2) respectively for evaluation of oils, detergent and pruning after
first application. Private companies, investors and smallholders and local farmers could be
advised to use mineral oil (50ml/15L/3tree) plus white oil (31.5ml/15L/3tree), pruning,
Dimethoate 40% EC (50ml/15L/3tree) and Movento 150 OD.
