This is one of the pests that affects the quality of the mango tree, leading to poor fruiting.
Identification
• Small round reddish brown to white insects
• Usually found in clusters which are immobile
• Insects can be 1 – 7 mm long while the cluster can be 2 cm in diameter
• Clusters found on upper surface of leaves, branches, stem and fruit
• Females are circular in appearance, have dark spot on one side, have neither wings nor legs
• Adult males have two wings
Damage:
• Scales suck the cell sap from the infested areas
• Infested leaves turn pale green to yellow eventually die and drop
• Infested fruits have pink blemishes and drop
• Poor growth and dieback of branches
• Infested young seedlings may die
• Honey dew is produced which form sooty mold, thus reduction of photosynthetic capacity
Control:
• Cut and burn infested tree parts
• Use of natural enemies e.g.) Parasitic Wasps, Ladybird Beetle, Lacewings etc.
• Spray with insecticide mixed with white mineral oils 2%: paraffin oil is sprayed at 3 % water emulsion. Avoid spraying mineral oil during very hot periods of the day
• Use of D-C Tron (Caltex oil) to suffocate the insects
