Diversity and nature of damage of mango insect-pests in south Gujarat ecosystem
JK Bana, Sushil Kumar and Hemant Sharma
Mango, Mangifera indica L is one of the most important fruit crops grown in southern Gujarat wherein large area is under Alphonso and other mid late varieties cultivation. An experiment was conducted out during 2013-17 to assess the diversity and nature of damage of major or minor insect pests occurring on Mango. During roving survey, major insect-pests of mango observed were hoppers, thrips and fruit fly whereas; fourteen other pests of either minor or sporadic importance have been recorded and identified. Four species of mango hoppers were recorded during the investigation wherein Amritodus atkinsoni remained most active during post monsonic period particularly in adult stage on cracks and crevices of tree trunk while, Idioscopus clypealis and I. nitidulus were the dominating species during full bloom period (January to March). Amrasca splendens was also active during marble and stone sized fruit stage of the crop (March–April). Likewise, four species of thrips viz; Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Exothrips hemavarna, Haplothrips ganglbaueri and Scirtothrips dorsalis remained more active during vegetative (new flush) and flowering cum fruit setting stages. Fruit fly species viz.Bactrocera dorsalis,B. correcta and B. zonata were observed feeding on fruits during April–July. Rest of the recorded pest species was at minor/sporadic levels and their infestations varied among different areas and regions of south Gujarat.
JK Bana, Sushil Kumar, Hemant Sharma. Diversity and nature of damage of mango insect-pests in south Gujarat ecosystem. J Entomol Zool Stud 2018;6(2):274-278.