Introduction

1. Introduction Mango is considered as king of all fruits. India produces 80% of world's mangoes. About 175 species of insects have been reported damaging mango plant. Pests like Mango Hoppers, Mealy Bug and Stone Borer causes considerable damage during nursery stage of mango.

2. Mango Hoppers Shoot Damage by Mango Leafhopper Nature of Damage: Mango Hopper nymphs and adults suck cell sap from the tender shoots during rainy session. Infested leaves of Mango shrivel, turn brown & ultimately fall down. Mango Hoppers secrete honeydew like substance which encourage the growth of black sooty mold which severely affects photosynthetic activity of leaves. Mango hoppers are known to affect the marketable quality of seedlings in the nursery. Honeydew Secretion by Mango Leafhopper

3. Mango Hoppers Control Spray 0.05% Malathion 50 EC or 0.04% Phosphamidon 85 EC in Oct- Nov. Fogging with Mixture of Malathion and Diesel in 1.5 : 8.5 proportion. At higher level of hopper density (>4 hopper/ shoot), spray 0.005% Imidacloprid, while at lower density (<4 hopper/shoot), spray 3000 ppm Azadirachtin @ 2ml/liter. Use of natural enemies of hoppers like Reduviid and Iranthaarmiper. White fungus, Verticillumlacaniiis also an effective control. Mango Leafhopper

4. Mango Mealy Bug: Drosicha maniferae Mango Mealy Bug • Control • Soil solarization and deep plough during summer to expose eggs. • Application of 5 cm wide sticky bands around stem in mid December prevents nymphs from crawling up the seedling. • Spray 2.5 ml Methyl Parathion in 10 liters of water. Host Plants: Mango, Jackfruit, Guava, Papaya and Lemon. Nature of Damage : Nymphs sucks sap from tender shoots and leaves which dry and drop.

5. Mango Stone Borer Stemochetus mangiferae Nature of Damage : Mango Stone Borer attacks soft fleshy varieties of mango. Stone borer grub on hatching, create tunnel in a zigzag manner through the pulp, endocarp and seed coat and reaches the cotyledons and destroys them. Stone borer adult also feeds on the developing seeds and it may hasten the maturity of infested fruits. Stone borer in Mango destroy the germination viability of seed/ stone in Mango nursery. Adult of Mango Stone Borer

6. Mango Stone Borer Stemochetus mangiferae Infected Fruit by Mango Stone Borer Control Collect and destroy fallen fruits and keep the mother plant block clean. Raking soil around tree in October-November and March is helpful. Spraying 0.05% Diazinon on trunk of mango tree and primary branches in October-November. Grub of Mango Stone Borer