Karar, H., Arif, M.J., Sayyed, H.A., Saeed, S., & Abbas, G. 2008 Effect of host plants on the fitness of the mango mealybug (Drosicha mangiferae) (Coccoidea: Monophlebidae).. Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies, Oeiras, Portugal, 24-27 September 2007. ISA Press Lisbon, Portugal 322 pp.

Notes: Mango is cash fruit crop in Pakistan and is called King of fruits. Among insect pests, mango mealybug (Drosicha mangiferae) is becoming a major threat to mango crop. Yield losses resulting from infestations and damage by the mealybug on mango plants can be up to 70 or even 100% in infested gardens in Punjab. The attacked branches loss their vigour and quality. Different varieties of mango and alternate host plants, such as citrus and mulberry, show different responses to this pest. Females feeding on mango variety Chounsa gain more weight as compared to those feeding on other mango varieties such as Fajri, Malda, Kala Chounsa, White chounsa, Sindhri, White chounsa late, Dusheri, Anwar ratool, Ratool-12, Langra and Tukhmi. Laboratory analyses showed that the difference is due to differences in the composition of macro- and micronutrients which effects on the weight and, size of the adult females and number of eggs laid.