Distribution of the White mango scale Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Nayarit, Mexico

摘要

align="justify"> face="verdana" size="2">Mango is the main fruit produced in Nayarit, Mexico; it is damaged by the white mango scale (WMS) Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead, which may produce losses of 50% if the pest is not controlled. Due to this problem, knowledge about its distribution in the State of Nayarit is required for management purposes. The aim of this study was to know the distribution of the scale in Nayarit, according to altitude, the two main cultivars and age of mango orchards. During three years (2007-2009) a program of sampling in all growing areas of Nayarit was conducted, during the periods of fructification and high densities of the pest (April-June of each year). During 2007, 217 mango orchards in 38 towns were sampled; 220 in 45 towns in 2008, and 83 mango orchards, in 23 towns in 2009 were sampled. It was found that mango orchards at the south of the state showed the higher densities of the scale on foliage, and the highest fruit infestation. Mango orchards from Compostela and Bahía de Banderas recorded the highest mango infestation; San Blas and Tepic resulted with moderate high infestations; Santiago Ixcuintla and Tecuala recorded low infestations. The pest was not detected in Acaponeta, Rosamorada and Ruiz. The highest WMS infestations were recorded in mango orchards at 0-500 of altitude, and also on 'Ataulfo' mango or in orchards less than 10 year old.