Identification, Symptoms and Nature of Identification, Symptoms and Nature of Damage: Sap FeedersDamage: Sap Feeders

Leaf

Hoppers

Man

go M

ealy Bu

g Scale insects

Inflorescence Midge

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Mango HopperIdioscopus clypealis,

I. itidulus and Amritodus atkinsoni

Order: HemipteraFamily: Cicadellidae

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IntroductionIntroduction

The mango hoppers are the most destructive pests of all the The mango hoppers are the most destructive pests of all the varieties of mango. varieties of mango.

Three species of hoppers Three species of hoppers Idioscopus clypealisIdioscopus clypealis,, I. nitidulus I. nitidulus and and Amritodus atkinsoniAmritodus atkinsoni are the most important and found on are the most important and found on panicles, leaves and stems, respectively.  panicles, leaves and stems, respectively. 

The hoppers are prevalent in the mango flowering season, The hoppers are prevalent in the mango flowering season, multiply in large numbers and proves devastating to the crop. multiply in large numbers and proves devastating to the crop.

Damage to the mango crop may be as high as 60 per cent. Damage to the mango crop may be as high as 60 per cent. The growth of young trees is much retarded and older trees The growth of young trees is much retarded and older trees do not bear much fruitsdo not bear much fruits

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IdentificationIdentification

Nymph – Nymph – The nymphs of The nymphs of Idiosocopus clypealis Idiosocopus clypealis are dull are dull yellow or dust yellow, whereas those ofyellow or dust yellow, whereas those of Amritodus atkinsoni Amritodus atkinsoni are pale yellow, elongated and more active.are pale yellow, elongated and more active.

Adult: SAdult: Small insects 4-5mm long with the body shape of a mall insects 4-5mm long with the body shape of a miniature cicada / wedge shaped.miniature cicada / wedge shaped.

– Amritodus atkinsoniAmritodus atkinsoni Adults: large, light brown with two Adults: large, light brown with two spots on scutellum. spots on scutellum.

– Idioscopus nitidulusIdioscopus nitidulus; Adults: dark with wavy lines on ; Adults: dark with wavy lines on wings and three spots on scutellum. wings and three spots on scutellum.

– I. clypealisI. clypealis; Adults: small, light brown with dark spots on ; Adults: small, light brown with dark spots on the vertex and two spots on scutellum. the vertex and two spots on scutellum.

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Life Cycle of Mango HopperLife Cycle of Mango Hopper

Female inserts eggs into flower buds, Female inserts eggs into flower buds, inflorescence stalks and tender leaves. inflorescence stalks and tender leaves.

Incubation period: 4-7 daysIncubation period: 4-7 days

Nymphal Period: 12-17 daysNymphal Period: 12-17 days

Completes 2-3 generation in flowering Completes 2-3 generation in flowering periodperiod

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SymptomsSymptoms

The pest usually occurs in high numbers on The pest usually occurs in high numbers on mango flowers during the spring and on leaves mango flowers during the spring and on leaves during the summer.during the summer.

When disturbed, the adults jump off the plant When disturbed, the adults jump off the plant with a distinctive clicking sound, make a short with a distinctive clicking sound, make a short flight and settle back on the plant. The nymphs flight and settle back on the plant. The nymphs cannot fly, but they can be seen moving cannot fly, but they can be seen moving rapidly on the plants.rapidly on the plants.

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Nature of DamageNature of Damage

Drying of infested tissueDrying of infested tissue: : Large number of nymphs and Large number of nymphs and adults puncture and suck the sap of tender parts such as adults puncture and suck the sap of tender parts such as panicles, inflorescence, leaves and fruits, thereby reducing the panicles, inflorescence, leaves and fruits, thereby reducing the vigour of the plants and particularly destroying inflorescence vigour of the plants and particularly destroying inflorescence and causing fruit drop.and causing fruit drop.

Sooty mould:Sooty mould: They also damage the crop by excreting a sweet They also damage the crop by excreting a sweet sticky substance which facilitates the development of sooty sticky substance which facilitates the development of sooty mould, a fungi, which affects photosynthesis activities of leaf, mould, a fungi, which affects photosynthesis activities of leaf, reducing the vigour of the plants. Heavy puncturing and reducing the vigour of the plants. Heavy puncturing and continuous draining of the sap cause curling and drying of the continuous draining of the sap cause curling and drying of the infested tissue.infested tissue.

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Mango Mealy Bug

Dorsicha mangiferae

Homoptera:Margarodidae

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IntroductionIntroduction

Mealy bug is another major pest of mango in India Mealy bug is another major pest of mango in India and is widely distributed. and is widely distributed.

Dorsicha mangiferae Dorsicha mangiferae is the most common mealy is the most common mealy bug and causes severe damage to mango crop bug and causes severe damage to mango crop throughout the country.throughout the country.

Nymphs and adults suck the plant sap and reduce Nymphs and adults suck the plant sap and reduce the vigour of the plant. Excessive and continuous the vigour of the plant. Excessive and continuous draining of plant sap causes wilting and finally draining of plant sap causes wilting and finally drying of infested tissue.drying of infested tissue.

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IdentificationIdentification

AdultAdult: : – The adult male is winged and smallThe adult male is winged and small– Female is bigger and wingless.Female is bigger and wingless. – The females can be identified by their flat shape, The females can be identified by their flat shape,

covered with white flocculent wax covering.covered with white flocculent wax covering.

NymphNymph – – The nymphs are flat in shape and The nymphs are flat in shape and pink to brown in colour.pink to brown in colour.

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Life Cycle of Mealy BugLife Cycle of Mealy Bug

The female crawl down the tree in the month of

April-May and enter in the cracks in the soil for

laying eggs in large numbers encased in white egg

sacs.

The eggs lie in diapause state in the soil till the return

of the favourable conditions in the month of November

- December.

Just after hatching, the minute

newly hatched pink to brown

coloured nymphs crawl up the tree.

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Nature of DamageNature of Damage

Presence of pinkish nymphs and adult mealy bugs on Presence of pinkish nymphs and adult mealy bugs on trunk, branches, fruits and fruit stalk. trunk, branches, fruits and fruit stalk.

After climbing up the tree they start sucking the sap of After climbing up the tree they start sucking the sap of tender plant parts. tender plant parts.

Adults and nymphs both suck the plant sap and Adults and nymphs both suck the plant sap and reduce the plant growth, destroy inflorescence and reduce the plant growth, destroy inflorescence and causes fruit drop. causes fruit drop.

Excessive and continuous draining of plant sap causes Excessive and continuous draining of plant sap causes wilting and finally drying of infested tissue.wilting and finally drying of infested tissue.

Mealy bug excretes honey dew, a sticky substance, Mealy bug excretes honey dew, a sticky substance, which facilitates the development of sooty mould fungi.which facilitates the development of sooty mould fungi.

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Scale Insects Of MangoChionaspis vitis

Chloropulvinaria psidii 

Order: Hemiptera 

Family: Diaspididae

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IntroductionIntroduction

Scale insect: Scale insects were not Scale insect: Scale insects were not considered serious pest on mango in considered serious pest on mango in any part of the country till recently, any part of the country till recently, but of late, they have assumed the but of late, they have assumed the status of serious pest in certain parts status of serious pest in certain parts of the country. Two species of scale of the country. Two species of scale insect are most serious in India.insect are most serious in India.

a.a. Chionaspis vitis-  Chionaspis vitis- White elongate White elongate hard scale.hard scale.bb. Chloropulvinaria psidii- . Chloropulvinaria psidii- Females Females with white ovisac.with white ovisac.

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IdentificationIdentification

Adult : White, elongate, hard scale.Adult : White, elongate, hard scale.

Male are smaller than female.Male are smaller than female.

Female scale is oval in shape having Female scale is oval in shape having transparent skin coat.transparent skin coat.

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SymptomsSymptoms

Both adults and nymphs suck the sap of Both adults and nymphs suck the sap of leaves. Severe infestation completely coats the leaves. Severe infestation completely coats the underside of leaves which become yellow and underside of leaves which become yellow and die.die.

It also caused cracking of bark and decline It also caused cracking of bark and decline

Flower spikes and fruits may also be infested.Flower spikes and fruits may also be infested.

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Nature of damageNature of damage

The nymphs and adult scales suck the The nymphs and adult scales suck the sap of the leaves and other tender sap of the leaves and other tender parts and reduce the vigour of the parts and reduce the vigour of the plants. plants. 

Secrete honeydew which encourages Secrete honeydew which encourages the development of sooty mould on the development of sooty mould on leaves and other tender parts of the leaves and other tender parts of the mango plant. mango plant. 

In case of severe scale infestation, In case of severe scale infestation, growth and fruit bearing capacity of growth and fruit bearing capacity of the tree is affected adversely.the tree is affected adversely.

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Mango Inflorescence midgeErosomyia indicaOrder: Diptera

Family: Cecidomyiidae

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IntroductionIntroduction

The mango inflorescence midge, The mango inflorescence midge, Erosomyia indicaErosomyia indica Grover  Grover Diptera : cecidomyiidae) is another major pest of mango. Diptera : cecidomyiidae) is another major pest of mango. 

  Recently, this pest has become very serious in certain pockets Recently, this pest has become very serious in certain pockets of Uttar Pradesh causing serious damage to mango crop by of Uttar Pradesh causing serious damage to mango crop by attacking both the inflorescence and the small fruits. attacking both the inflorescence and the small fruits. 

  In addition to the inflorescence midge, In addition to the inflorescence midge, Erosomyia indicaErosomyia indica, two , two other gall-midges other gall-midges Dasineura amramanjaraeDasineura amramanjarae  and   and Procystiphora Procystiphora mangiferae mangiferae Felt have been found damaging the mango Felt have been found damaging the mango inflorescenceinflorescence

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IdentificationIdentification

Larva : Larva : A maggot light yellowish colour and moults A maggot light yellowish colour and moults three times.three times.

Adult:       Adult:       –   aa. . Dasineura amaramanjaraeDasineura amaramanjarae: Orange red : Orange red

–   b. b. Erosomyia indicaErosomyia indica: Yellowish fly: Yellowish fly

–   c. c. Procystiphora mangiferaeProcystiphora mangiferae: Light orange fly: Light orange fly

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Life Cycle Life Cycle

The adult midge are harmless minute flies which are short lived and die The adult midge are harmless minute flies which are short lived and die within 24 hours of emergence after copulation and oviposition. within 24 hours of emergence after copulation and oviposition. 

  The flies lay eggs singly on floral parts like tender inflorescence axis, The flies lay eggs singly on floral parts like tender inflorescence axis, newly set fruit or tender leaves encircling the inflorescence.  newly set fruit or tender leaves encircling the inflorescence.  

The eggs hatch within 2-3 days.  Upon hatching, the minute maggots The eggs hatch within 2-3 days.  Upon hatching, the minute maggots penetrate the tender parts on which the eggs have been laid and feed on penetrate the tender parts on which the eggs have been laid and feed on them. them.

The larval period varies from 7-10 days. The larval period varies from 7-10 days.

The mature larvae drop down into the soil for pupation.  The mature larvae drop down into the soil for pupation.  

The pupal period varies from 5-7 days.  The pupal period varies from 5-7 days.  

There are 3-4 overlapping generations of the pest spread over the period There are 3-4 overlapping generations of the pest spread over the period from January-March.from January-March.

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Symptoms and Nature of DamageSymptoms and Nature of Damage

Maggots attack the inflorescence stalk, flowers and Maggots attack the inflorescence stalk, flowers and small developing fruits.small developing fruits.

Maggot bore into the bud and feeds on inner content.Maggot bore into the bud and feeds on inner content.

Buds fail to open and drop down.Buds fail to open and drop down.

Larval feeding prevents flower opening and Larval feeding prevents flower opening and consequently also development.consequently also development.

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SummarySummarySap feeding insects are generally small and hard to detect before they begin to do damage. They Sap feeding insects are generally small and hard to detect before they begin to do damage. They feed by piercing leaves or stems with sharp, needle-like mouth parts, and then sucking out the feed by piercing leaves or stems with sharp, needle-like mouth parts, and then sucking out the plant's juices. In mango orchards sap feeding insects mainly are mango hopper, mealy bug, scale plant's juices. In mango orchards sap feeding insects mainly are mango hopper, mealy bug, scale insects and inflorescence midge.insects and inflorescence midge.

The mango hoppers are the most destructive pests of all the varieties of mango. Three species The mango hoppers are the most destructive pests of all the varieties of mango. Three species of hoppers of hoppers Idioscopus clypealisIdioscopus clypealis,, I. nitidulus I. nitidulus and and Amritodus atkinsoniAmritodus atkinsoni are the most important. are the most important. Adult and nymphs suck the sap of tender parts which facilitates development of fungi .This pest Adult and nymphs suck the sap of tender parts which facilitates development of fungi .This pest is prevalent during spring and summer.is prevalent during spring and summer.

Mango mealy bug Mango mealy bug Dorsicha mangiferaDorsicha mangifera is common and major pest of mango in India. It causes is common and major pest of mango in India. It causes severe damage to mango crop throughout the country. Adult and nymphs both suck the plant sap severe damage to mango crop throughout the country. Adult and nymphs both suck the plant sap and reduce the vigour of plant. Mealy bug excrete honey dew which cause development of sooty and reduce the vigour of plant. Mealy bug excrete honey dew which cause development of sooty mould fungi.mould fungi.

Scale insect has attained status of serious pests in India recently. Two species of Scale insect Scale insect has attained status of serious pests in India recently. Two species of Scale insect Chionaspsis vitisChionaspsis vitis and and C.psidiiC.psidii are found to be serious in the country. Both adults and nymphs are found to be serious in the country. Both adults and nymphs suck the sap of plant, during severe infestation yellowing of leaves take place and plant die.suck the sap of plant, during severe infestation yellowing of leaves take place and plant die.

The mango inflorescence midge, The mango inflorescence midge, Erosomyia indicaErosomyia indica is major pest of mango.  Adults are  is major pest of mango.  Adults are harmless, maggots bore inside the tender parts and feed upon them which eventually hampers harmless, maggots bore inside the tender parts and feed upon them which eventually hampers development. It can be controlled by removing affected flowers and tender shootsdevelopment. It can be controlled by removing affected flowers and tender shoots

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