The population density of the mango mealy bug (Drosicha mangiferae G.) in mango

Five mango trees of variety Amrapali were selected for experiment and five panicles I tree were sorted out randomly. Average number of mango mealy bugs I panicle as well as I trunk were recorded and correlated with abiotic factors viz., average temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Highest population (17.50) of mango mealy bug was found on April 05, 2000 at an average temperature and relative humidity of 27.43° C and 46.15% respectively. Decreasing population trend i.e. 8.25 and 4.75 was found on April 26,2000 and May 03,2000 at an average temperature and relative humidity of 31.31°C, 31.55°C and 48.35%, 49.80% respectively due to increasing temperature and relative humidity. Lowest population of mango mealy bugs were recorded to be 1.50 on May 24,2000 at an average temperature and relative humidity of 33.03°C and 56.75% respectively. However no infestation was recorded on May 31,2000 due to an increase of temperature (33.55°) and relative humidity (63.50%). A similar trend of increase and decrease of mealy bug population on the tree trunk was observed with increase and decrease of temperature and relative humidity. The bug population on tree trunk came to nil on May 17,2000 onwards.