Awadalla, S., Ata, T., Bayoumy, M., Osman, A. (2025). Influence of Different Mango Cultivars on the Population Density of the Soft Scale Insect, Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Damietta Governorate. Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology, 16(2), 95-101. doi: 10.21608/jppp.2025.358704.1314
S. S. Awadalla; T. E. Ata; M. H. Bayoumy; Aya A. Osman. "Influence of Different Mango Cultivars on the Population Density of the Soft Scale Insect, Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Damietta Governorate". Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology, 16, 2, 2025, 95-101. doi: 10.21608/jppp.2025.358704.1314
Awadalla, S., Ata, T., Bayoumy, M., Osman, A. (2025). 'Influence of Different Mango Cultivars on the Population Density of the Soft Scale Insect, Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Damietta Governorate', Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology, 16(2), pp. 95-101. doi: 10.21608/jppp.2025.358704.1314
Awadalla, S., Ata, T., Bayoumy, M., Osman, A. Influence of Different Mango Cultivars on the Population Density of the Soft Scale Insect, Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Damietta Governorate. Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology, 2025; 16(2): 95-101. doi: 10.21608/jppp.2025.358704.1314
Influence of Different Mango Cultivars on the Population Density of the Soft Scale Insect, Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Damietta Governorate
1Economic Entomology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt.
2Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Egypt.
Abstract
The soft scale insect, Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Homoptera: Coccidae) is one of the most destructive pests affecting mango trees in Egypt. This study investigates the impact of different mango cultivars on the population dynamics of this insect in New Damietta mango orchards during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The effects of natural enemies and weather factors, including mean temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), tree orientation, and seasonality, were analyzed. The findings revealed four annual population peaks of K. acuminata, occurring in February, March, August and December in the 1st year and February, March, June and August in the 2nd year across different mango cultivars. The highest infestation levels were recorded during summer, with mean densities of 4398.9±504.6 and 3569.8±376.6 individuals per 125 leaves in the first and second study years, respectively, while the lowest populations were observed in winter. Statistical analysis showed that K. acuminata populations were significantly influenced by daily means temperature, while relative humidity parasitoids had no significant effect. Additionally, the insect exhibited a preference for the northern orientation of mango trees. These findings provide valuable insights into the seasonal trends and ecological interactions of K. acuminata, contributing to the development of effective integrated pest management strategies for mango orchards in Egypt.