Mango white scale

Mango white scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis) is a significant insect pest belonging to the Diaspididae family within the order Hemiptera. This scale insect has become a major concern for mango producers globally due to its ability to rapidly colonize orchards and cause substantial damage.

While mango trees are the primary host, this pest can occasionally impact other tropical species. It poses a severe threat to international trade, as the presence of white scale on fruit surfaces is often a quarantine issue, leading to strict regulations and export restrictions for infested regions.

The life cycle of the insect consists of eggs protected under the female's scale, mobile crawler stages, and sessile adults. The crawlers are the only dispersive stage, capable of moving to new leaves or being carried by wind to neighboring trees. Once they settle, they secrete a waxy layer that protects them from predators and environmental stressors.

The damage is primarily aesthetic and physiological. By feeding on the phloem, the insects cause yellow spotting on the leaves and unsightly discolored blotches on the mango fruit skin. These marks lower the grade of the produce and, in heavy infestations, can reduce the tree's overall vigor and fruit yield.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the most effective approach to control this pest. This involves:

• Regular monitoring of populations to time insecticide applications accurately.
• Application of horticultural oils or systemic insecticides targeting the vulnerable crawler stage.
• Encouraging the presence of natural enemies, such as parasitoid wasps and predatory beetles.
• Maintaining proper orchard hygiene through pruning and the removal of heavily infested plant material.