Population studies on the soft scale Lecanium acuminatum Signoret (Coccoidea).
Habib A., Salama H. S., Saleh M. R.
Author Affiliation: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Arab Republic of Egypt.
Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Entomologie 68 : 387-403
Abstract : The increase of population of Kilifia (Lecanium) acuminata (Sign.) on mango trees at different heights and in different directions was investigated at different times of year in Qualubia Governorate, Egypt. In August, the highest insect population tended to occur in the middle and upper zones of the tree. Different aspects also were found to be important in their effect, the highest populations developing on the eastern aspect of the tree, and the lowest in the central part. This distribution was associated with the photopositive reaction of the insect. In October and November, the distribution showed the same trend, and this was correlated with the microclimatic conditions obtaining in the upper parts and with their degree of exposure to light. In April and May, when the uppermost parts are exposed to Khamsin winds, the insect population is to be found in the middle of the tree. Studies on the separate effects of height, aspect and season showed that they exercise a significant effect on distribution of the insect, as also did the interaction of these factors, with the exception of the height-direction interaction.