Biological control of Aulacaspis tubercularis and Kilifia acuminata infested mango trees by Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract

The current study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) against Aulacaspis tubercularis (Newstead) and Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae and Coccidae) infested mango trees (Mangifera indica L.) in Faculty of Agriculture-Cairo University-Giza Governorate by double release, 50 individuals of 2^nd larval instar of C. carnea for each release and counts were recorded at 15, 30 and 45 days, post-treatment. Results indicated that in the first release, there was an effective reduction percentage in the population of both scale insects in autumn. The mean reduction percentages 45 days after treatment in A. tubercularis were 86.08, 78.40 and 76.07%, respectively. While, in K. acuminata, the mean reduction percentages were 81.48, 77.78 and 75%, respectively. In the second release, in spring, the mean reduction percentages 45 days after treatment in A. tubercularis were 81.48, 77.78, and 75%, respectively. However, in K. acuminata, the mean reduction percentages 45 days after treatment were 84.37, 66.6 and 75.1%, respectively. C. carnea has proven to be a highly efficient biocontrol agent against scale insects A.tubercularis and K. acuminata.