Integrated Management Practice of White Mango Scale (Aulacaspis Tubercularis L.) Insect in South Ethiopia Wolaita Zone at Damote Woyde District Ofhagaza Watershed Development.

Recently, white mango scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis) has become the most destructive insect pest on mango trees in Ethiopia. This insect pest has been imported to our country, Ethiopia, a decade ago with planting materials from India. Because of its newly emerging in our country Ethiopia, mango fruit producers in our region have no idea about the control option. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and demonstrate better management options to control Aulacaspis tubercularis . An experiment was conducted by using systemic insecticides, namely Dimethoate 40% EC, and Thiamothoxam 25% WG, and tree pruning in randomized complete block design using four farmers as replications. The rates and formulation of insecticides were 15, 20, 25, and 30 ml and gm used per tree. The insecticides were sprayed within three months interval later on proper management and pruning of mango fruit plant. The analysis of variance result has shown a highly significant difference at ^** P < 0.01 among treatments for the majority of collected data, and the rest has revealed a significant difference at ^* P < 0.05 level. Dimethoate 40% EC plus pruning gave the most reduction (49%) in insect population followed by Thiamethoxam 25% WG plus pruning (27%), whereas tree pruning reduced insect population by 14.5% compared to control. The present study suggested that in addition to tree pruning, the application of 20ml Dimethoate 40% EC an 20gm Thiamethoxam 25% WG per tree within three months interval would be used to reduce white mango scale insect infestation. In future insecticide residual toxic effect in edible fruit and biological control options need further investigation.