A study on the biology of mango inflorescence midge in Hormozgan province.
Pezhman H., Askari M.
Author Affiliation: Date Palm and Tropical Fruits Research Institute of Iran, P. O. Box 61355-16, Ahvaz, Iran.
Applied Entomology and Phytopathology 72 : Pe19-Pe29, en5-en6
Abstract : The biology and distribution of Erosomyia mangiferae in Hormozgan, Iran were evaluated during 1997-98. Mean infestation percentage on inflorescence was 59.27 and 67.5% in Minab and Roodan, respectively. The pest was only active during the flowering season and spends the other periods as pupae in the soil. During flowering, females lay eggs on flower buds and scarcely on tender inflorescence axis. After hatching, the young larvae start feeding, destroying the flower buds and making small tunnels in branches. Infested buds become dark, dry and fall off due to secondary infection by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata]. When mature larvae exit on branches, the damage became severe and fruit set was completely inhibited. After full feeding larvae enter the soil for pupation. In Minab, embryonic, larval and pupal periods were 1-2, 6-13 and 6-8 days, respectively. The pest produced 3-4 overlapping generations during flowering (January-April), and each generation lats approximately 20 days. The maximum population density was observed in the middle of February in Minab.