Differential susceptibility of mango cultivars in South Africa to galling by the mango gall fly, Procontarinia matteiana Kieffer and Cecconi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae).
Githure C. W., Schoeman A. S., McGeoch M. A.
Author Affiliation: Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
: 138-143
Abstract : The susceptibility of eleven mango cultivars (Heidi, Tommy Atkins, Sabre, Zill, Peach, Kensington, Haden, Keitt, Kent, Irwin and Sensation) to galling by mango gall fly (Procontarinia matteiana Kieffer & Cecconi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)) was established for December 1995 leaf flushes at Lisbon Estates and at the Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ITSC). Leaf area, number of galls per leaf, gall density and gall diameters were quantified for each cultivar. Sensation is resistant to mango gall fly attack, whereas pseudogalls are found on Keitt, Kent and Irwin. The remaining cultivars showed some level of susceptibility. Heidi appeared to be most susceptible and Kensington least susceptible. Gall densities and diameters on Tommy Atkins, Sabre, Zill, Peach and Haden varied between localities. In addition, gall densities tended to be higher and gall diameters smaller at Lisbon than at ITSC. However, the general consistency of cultivar susceptibility levels between sites, and with previous studies, confirms that the level of susceptibility to mango gall fly is cultivar related. A preliminary classification of the susceptibility of South African mango cultivars to attack by P. matteiana is compiled.