Pest Management for Mango

Mango (Mangifer indica) is the most important fruit crop of India. In India, about 188 species of pests cause damage to mango and this include mango hoppers, mealy bug, termites, stem borer, fruit fly, stone weevil and leaf eating caterpillars.

Leaf cutting weevil Deporaue marginatus and stem borers Chlumetia transverses are the major pests attacking mango nursery. The freshly prepared grafts could be protected effectively by spraying 0.05% endosulfan against leaf cutting weevil, 0.01% fenvalerate, 0.02% monocrotophos or 0.02% quinalphos for the control of stem borer. Removal of shoot borer affected grafts/seedlings followed by spraying either 0.04% monocrotophos, 0.05 dimethoate or 0.01% carbaryl 50 WP is recommended for the effective control of shoot borer.

• Mango hopper

The nymphs and adults of mango hopper suck the cell sap from inflorescence and flower buds. The infected flower shrival turns brown and ultimately fall off, thereby, affecting the yield adversely. During severe attack, the pest may destroy the entire crop. The peak population occurs when fruits are of pea size.

Control measures include digging or ploughing repeatedly around the trees during summer to kill the pest by exposing then to sun’s heat, ants and birds.

• Stem borer

Adults of stem borer do not cause any damage except feeding on tender shoots and buds or making irregular scratches on stem by bitting and chewing. Grubs cause maximum damage particularly in neglected orchards by tunneling inside the main trunk and branches. The branches show signs of wilting and masses of refuse/excreta exude from the bored holes.

It can be controlled by injecting borer solution containing two parts of carbon disulfide and one part of chloroform; cresote mixture (1:1) with an injecting syringe.

• Mango Stone weevil

Grubs of stone weevil enter into the stone of the mango fruit and feed on the internal contents. As a result, the fruit pulps adjacent to the stone get discoloured. Thotapuri variety is the most susceptile one and is damaged severely every year.

The parthenocarpic hybrid variety Sindhu (Ratna x Alphonso) is totally resistant to the pest. Disposal of fallen fruits would help to reduce the pest infestation.

• Fruit fly

The maggots of fruit fly feed on the pulp of the fruits. Brownish rotten patches develop on the fruits as a result and such fruits fall down. The late maturing varieties are affected severely by fruit fly.

Sanitation in the orchard is the most important preventive measure for fruit fly infection. Collection and detraction of fallen fruits would help to reduce pest infestation. Use of chemical traps containing citronella oil (10 drops in 0.5 litre water) is found to be useful to reduce the pest incidence. Three sprays of 0.1% fenthion or malathion at monthly intervals starting from one and a half months after fruit set helps in reducing the pest. Chemical traps containing methyl eugenol has been successfully used.

• Termites

It remain underground and feed on the roots and then move upwards making the trunks completely hollow or construct earthen galleries on tree trunks and feed on the bark.

It includes destruction of termitoria along with the queen. Fumigation with EDCT mixture, cynogas dust or petrol, soil application of 5% aldrin/chlordane/heptachlor dust (200 to 300 g per tree) will effectively control the termites. Painting the trees with tar and prompt removal of the galleries as soon as they appear may be carried out regularly.

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