Giant mango mealybug

Systematic position. The giant mango mealybug Drosicha mangiferae belongs to the family Margarodidae within the order Hemiptera. It is recognized as a significant pest of various fruit crops, characterized by its substantial size and highly destructive feeding habits during the nymphal stages.

Host plants. As the name suggests, mango is the primary host for this pest. However, it is highly polyphagous and infests numerous other fruit-bearing and ornamental trees, including citrus species, guava, jackfruit, and ficus, often spreading between adjacent orchards and garden plots.

Biology and life cycle. The species undergoes a cycle starting with eggs laid in the soil at the base of the host tree. After overwintering, the first-instar nymphs emerge in early spring and migrate up the tree trunk to the canopy. The females grow significantly, feeding on sap, while males undergo a brief pupal stage before reaching maturity to fertilize the females.

Damage and economic importance. Feeding by large populations of nymphs leads to severe plant stress, wilting, and premature dropping of flowers and fruitlets. The excess honeydew excreted by the insects facilitates the growth of sooty mold, which coats leaves and fruits, severely hindering photosynthesis and drastically reducing the market quality of the harvest.

Control measures. Integrated pest management (IPM) is essential for effective control of Drosicha mangiferae:

• Application of sticky bands around tree trunks to prevent nymphal migration.
• Pruning and destroying heavily infested branches to reduce population density.
• Application of systemic insecticides during the peak nymph emergence period.
• Enhancing biological control by preserving local predatory beetles and parasitoids.