Population dynamics of Maskell scale, Insulaspis pallidula (Green) (Homoptera - Diaspididae), on mango trees in Egypt.
Elwan E. A. H.
Author Affiliation: Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research 83 : 1199-1212
Abstract : Maskell scale, Insulaspis pallidula, is a common scale insect on mango trees, Mangifera indica, resulting defoliation and branch drying. Population dynamics, number and duration of generations as well as the effect of two weather factors on the insect activity were studied at El-Qanater El-Khairia, Qalubia Governorate, Egypt in 2001/02 and 2002/03. Results revealed that pre-adult and adult populations peaked four times per year during May, July, September/October and November. The pest had four annual overlapping generations, with the highest generation occurring during autumn in both studied years. The daily mean temperature was entirely under the optimum range of pre-adult and adult activities in the two years, whereas the daily mean relative humidity was within the optimum range of the pre-adult and adult activities in 2001/02 and entirely under the optimum range of the pre-adult and adult activities in 2002/03. The combined effect of the two weather factors on the pre-adult and adult activities was highly significant in both years.