Population Dynamics and Seasonal Fluctuation of Aonidiella orientalis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on Mango Trees

Abstract

Seasonal incidence, population dynamics and environmental drivers of Aonidiella orientalis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) were investigated on mango trees to understand its temporal abundance patterns and infestation risk under field conditions. Periodic sampling of different tree strata was conducted to quantify nymphal and adult stages across seasons, along with concurrent recording of abiotic factors including temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Population buildup exhibited distinct seasonal trends, with peak incidence observed during warm and moderately humid periods, while lower densities were recorded during cooler or highly wet conditions. Stage-specific distribution indicated higher aggregation of early instars on young shoots and tender leaves, whereas later stages were more uniformly distributed across branches and fruits. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between temperature and population increase, while rainfall showed a suppressive effect due to wash-off and mortality of exposed stages. The presence of natural enemies contributed to partial regulation of population peaks, indicating a degree of biological control within orchard ecosystems. Spatial variability within tree canopies suggested microclimatic influence on settlement and survival success. The results demonstrate that A. orientalis exhibits strong season-dependent fluctuations governed by climatic variability and host phenology. These findings provide essential baseline information for forecasting infestation periods and optimizing management interventions in mango orchards. Integration of seasonal monitoring with threshold-based control strategies can enhance the efficiency of pest suppression while minimizing unnecessary pesticide applications. Such insights are critical for developing sustainable integrated pest management programs for scale insects in tropical fruit production systems.