Occurrence, monitoring techniques and management of Dasineura amaramanjarae Grover (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Punjab, Pakistan.
Hafiz Mahmood-ur-Rehman, Riaz Mahmood, Muhammad Razaq
Author Affiliation: CABI Central and West Asia, Opposite 1-A, Data Gunj Bukhsh Road Satellite Town, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Pakistan Journal of Zoology 46 : 45-52
Abstract : Mango, Mangifera indica L. ranks second in the fruit industry of Pakistan. Gall midges complex has been recently reported as one of the major pests from all mango growing areas of Pakistan. Dasineura amaramanjarae Grover is significant mango gall midge pest as its larvae feed in flower buds and may cause 100% reduction in yield. We recorded this pest from all mango growing areas of the Punjab including Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan. Higher infestation was noted on mango trees in commercial orchards as compared to the trees scattered in small patches in farmer fields grown for personal consumption. Yellow sticky traps were more effective than green, blue, and colorless traps for monitoring of adults. During two consecutive growing seasons the adults of the pest were observed from February to April at Rahim Yar Khan. The use of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) with integration of racking of soil under the mango tree was the second best option after bifenthrin for the control of the pest followed by spray of NSKE on mango canopy on the soil, and the racking of soil.