Further studies on the establishment of Aphytis sp. and Cybocephalus binotatus in mango orchards for the control of mango scale.
Daneel M. S., Dreyer S.
Author Affiliation: Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag X11208, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
: 144-146
Abstract : The mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis, is a serious pest on mango and causes damage especially with late cultivars. The scale causes lesions on the fruit which are unexceptable for export purposes. In most of the mango producing countries the mango scale is limited due to effective biological control. It is therefore important to proceed with biological control rather than chemical control. Several Aphytis spp. were imported and one of these species was bred successfully and released. A predatory beetle, Cybocephalus binotatus, was also imported together with the Aphytis sp. and was bred in the insectarium. Aphytis sp. was released since May 1995, while C. binotatus was released since February 1996. Both species were released in Malelane, Nelspruit, Friedenheim, Hoedspruit, Hazyview and Messina. Aphytis sp. was successfully recovered in every locality in which it was released and it has dispersed to the surrounding orchards in Malelane and Hoedspruit. C. binotatus was also recovered successfully and has dispersed to neighbouring orchards in several localities. Further releases of both Aphytis sp. and C. binotatus are planned. Dispersion patterns will be studied to determine the optimum numbers to be released for successful establishment and control.