Studies on the population fluctuations and distribution of the white mango scale insect, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead within the canopy of the mango trees in eastern of Delta region at the north of Egypt

El-Metwally, Mostafa M.; Moussa, S. F. M.; Ghanim, Nabil M.

doi:10.21608/eajbsa.2011.15177

Studies on the population fluctuations and distribution of the white mango scale insect, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead within the canopy of the mango trees in eastern of Delta region at the north of Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center

10.21608/eajbsa.2011.15177

Abstract

Population fluctuations of the white mango scale insect, Aulacaspis tubercularis, Newstead, (Coccoidea: Diaspididae) had been studied in mango orchards located at two governorates, (Damietta and Gharbya) in the northern of Egyp during 2010. The obtained data revealed that A. tubercularis recorded three peaks at Damietta governorate; these peaks were recorded during February, June and August 2010 when 35.5, 39.1 and 127.1 individuals/leaf were recorded, respectively. At Gharbyia governorate two peaks during April 2010, (48.9 individuals/leaf) and July 2010, (32.6 individuals/leaf).The variables of temperature and relative humidity had slight effects on A. tubercularis population. On the other hand, A. tubercularis preferred south direction than the other cardinal directions (north, east and west) and center of mango tree canopy. Also, this pest preferred the upper surface of leaves during cold month (winter months) and preferred the lower surface of leaves during the hot months (summer months). The sex ratio had been recorded as
34.6:1 (male: females) at Damietta district, while, at Gharbayia governorate, it had been recorded as 20.5:1.

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