Life cycle and biology of mango bark beetle, Hypocryphalus mangiferae (Stebbing), a possible vector of mango sudden death disease in Pakistan.
Asad Masood, Shafqat Saeed, Asif Sajjad, Mudssar Ali
Author Affiliation: University College of Agriculture, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
Pakistan Journal of Zoology 41 : 281-288
Abstract : The activity of Hypocryphalus mangiferae, Stebbing (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) was observed in mango orchards with the help of trap tree logs and its biology was studied in the laboratory. H. mangiferae usually preferred diseased and stressed mango trees and bored tiny holes (1.9-2.0 mm in diameter) in the main tree trunk from which frass was emitted out. It remained active in terms of number of holes per trap log, from February to November to variable degrees. The maximum activity was observed in the month of May. The maturation feeding lasted for 6-8 days and the females laid 42.3±9.91 eggs. The five larval instars were distinguished from each other on the basis of the width of head capsule. The larvae completed their development in 16.90±2.12 days by constructing irregular galleries. The pupation period lasted for 3.85±1.41 days and finally the adult emerged that lived for 22.9±3.53 days.