Developing a systems approach for Sternochetus mangiferae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in South Africa.
Sternochetus mangiferae (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a quarantine pest of mango, Mangifera indica L., in South Africa. The aim of the study was to test cultural and chemical control measures in a systems approach for risk mitigation of S. mangiferae in South Africa. A large-scale experiment, using a randomized block design with three replicates, was undertaken on 'Tommy Atkins' mangoes in South Africa. Five treatment combinations were applied over two seasons: (1) untreated control; (2) sanitation and physical removal of egg-infested fruit (P+S); (3) thiamethoxam, P+S; (4) thiamethoxam, fipronil, P+S; and 5) thiamethoxam, two fenthion applications, P+S. A weekly random sample of eight fruit from 40 trees per orchard was taken from 5 wk to harvest over two harvest periods. In total, 57,600 fruit were sampled. In a separate experiment, the same variety was used to test the efficacy of covering fruit with paper bags over one season in a completely randomized design. In both trials, all the pests were recorded from internal and external fruit inspections. In trial 1, results after the first season showed >98% control in the three chemical combination treatments. In the second season, treatment 2 provided 19% and treatment 3 99.9% control, whereas no fruit were infested with S. mangiferae in treatments 4 and 5. Trial two showed that fruit bagging significantly reduced S. mangiferae infestation. The data showed that a systems approach for S. mangiferae control in South Africa can be effective and that bagging can be an effective organic control option.
Westfalia Technological Services, P.O. Box 1103, Tzaneen 0850, South Africa. johandg@westfalia.co.za
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De Graaf
D000818:Animals; D005284:Fenthion / Q000494:pharmacology; D005638:Fruit / Q000469:parasitology; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031022:Mangifera / Q000469:parasitology*; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods; D012499:Sanitation / Q000592:standards; D012621:Seasons; D013019:South Africa; D048889:Weevils / Q000187:drug effects
D007306:Insecticides; D005284:Fenthion