Management of white mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis (homoptera: diaspididae) using pruning, oils and pesticides in eastern wellega, Ethiopia

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.