International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2021) 41, 2997-3009

Temesgen Fita, Emana Getu, Mulatu Wakgari, Kebede Woldetsadike and Paul Rugman Jones (2021)
Molecular identification of white mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Homoptera: Diaspididae), and its associated natural enemies in western Ethiopia
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 41 (4), 2997-3009
Abstract: White mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead, was first reported in Ethiopia in 2010 from mango orchards belonging to "RAJ Agro Industry Loko Mango Farm", formerly named as "Green Focus Ethiopia LTD". White mango scales were monitored for the presence of natural enemies at three study sites in western Oromia and Assosa zone of Benishangul-Gumuze Regional State. Specimens of A. tubercularis, its predators, and its parasitoids were identified via DNA sequencing. DNA sequences of the COI gene of all Ethiopian scales sampled were identical and confirmed as a single haplotype of A. tubercularis. Three predators of A. tubercularis were recovered. These included two Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), Rhizobius lopanthe (Blaisdell) and, a species of Platynaspis, and a third unidentified beetle species from the family Nitidulidae.DNA sequences of the parasitoid specimens identified two species of Encarsia, E. lounsburyi Berlese and Paoli and E. citrina Craw (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). These natural enemies were identified for the first time as resident natural enemies of A. tubercularis in Ethiopia. During specimen collection, the newly associated adults and larvae of the predators were found feeding voraciously on live A. tubercularis. The parasitoids were found parasitizing all stages of sessile A. tubercularis. The novel association of resident predators and parasitoid wasps with A. tubercularis has likely developed recently in Ethiopia. Future work will help determine if the resident natural enemy complex can be used for conservation biological control of A. tubercularis, to improve cost-effective pest management of this exotic insect pest in Ethiopia, along with other compatible control options.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
surveys/sampling/distribution
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aulacaspis tubercularis	Mango (Mangifera indica)	Ethiopia
Encarsia citrina (parasitoid)	Aulacaspis tubercularis	Mango (Mangifera indica)	Ethiopia
Encarsia lounsburyi (parasitoid)	Aulacaspis tubercularis	Mango (Mangifera indica)	Ethiopia