White Mango Scale: A Threat to Mango Production in Ethiopia

Abstract

There are different species of insects and diseases that contribute to low yield of mango tree throughout its stages of development. Fruit flies, red-banded thrips, mango tip borer, scales, seed weevil, anthracnose, bacterial black spot and powdery mildew are some of the biotic constraints for mango production. This review was intended to collect research works on white mango scale with special focus on research works done in Ethiopia. Different findings of research works on the insect were carefully studied. The scale insect, white mango scale Aulacaspis tubercularis, is agriculturally important scale insect of mango tree. Taxonomically, the insect is a sucking scale insect found in order Hemiptera. White mango scale has different scientific names with its preferred scientific name Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead and common English name white mango scale. The insect was recorded in Ethiopia for the first time in 2010 in western part of the country since which it fastly spread locally within the country. Economically, reports indicate that the white mango scale can cause total rejection of mango fruit. Even though biological, cultural and chemical management options exist, quarantine is the best management option existed so far limiting the distribution of the insect. The research works indicate that many of the existing management options for white mango scale are spraying insecticides with few integrated pest management options. Quarantining the insect is the management method recommended in many cases. With the current status of the insect, mango farm in Ethiopia will be out of production due to this insect unless the insect is managed. Generally, the current reports revealed that mango production in Ethiopia will be under serious threat which can even destroy total mango production in the future.