FIELD INSECTICIDE SPRAYS FOR CONTROLLING THE WHITE MANGO SCALE (HEMIPTERA: DIASPIDIDAE)

Abstract

Considering the wide distribution and damage caused by white mango scale (WMS) Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead in Nayarit, México, six field insecticide trials were conducted from 2004 to 2007 for the control of the pest. The main objective was to determine efficacy of selected insecticides on the WMS. Experiments were conducted with ‘Ataulfo’ and ‘Haden’ cultivars in mango orchards in Las Varas, and Atonalisco, Nayarit. The main parameters were number of females, male colonies and total scales per leaf. Four synthetic insecticides, two laundry detergents, mineral oil (citroline), mixtures of mineral oil + malathion and a commercial garlic extract were evaluated. The mixtures of mineral oil (50 mL L^-1) + malathion (1.11 mL L^-1 or 2.22 mL L^-1), were controlled effectively 98.3 % y 100 % of scales, respectively. Pyriproxyfen (0.3 mL L^-1) or dimetoate (2.0 mL L^-1) recorded a 100 % control. Mineral oil (50 mL L^-1 or 75 mL L^-1) was effective controlling 91.3 % and 97.5 % of the scales, respectively. Commercial brand Roma® and Ariel® detergents at 20 g L^-1, sprayed on foliage controlled 75.5 % y 55.3 % of scales, respectively. Control of the WMS with garlic extract or cipermetrine (0.24 or 0.36 mL L^-1) was inconsistent.