An assessment on major insect pests of mango and their control measures at farmers’ level, Saptari, Nepal

A survey study was conducted to assess the major insect pests of mango and their control measures at farmers’ level in Shurunga Municipality of Saptari district, Nepal. Madhupatti, Kushaha, Shripur and Haripur of the Shurunga Municipality were selected for the study. From these areas 120 household samples were selected randomly. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion and key informant interview whereas secondary data were obtained through a review of relevant literatures. Thus obtained data were analyzed using statistical software that involved both descriptive and analytical statistics. Mango hopper was identified as the most common insects followed by the mango mealy bug, red banded caterpillar, mango stem borer and mango fruit fly in terms of occurrence and damage in orchard of study area. It was found that orchard having high insect severity also had high yield loss. Malda variety of mango was identified as the most susceptible variety to insect attack while local variety, “Sahari” was identified as the least susceptible to insect attack. Majority of the respondent (91.70%) relied on use of chemical insecticide to control insects. The number of respondents having more than two spray of insecticide in their orchard was very high (78). Ploughing of the orchard as a means of insect pest control was carried out by about 85.83% of respondents, while only 32.50% of respondents performed field sanitation as cultural measures of insect control. About 54.20% of respondent knew about bio-pesticide but only 10% of the respondents used bio-pesticide in their orchard.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) of family Anacardiaceae is a major fruit crop of tropics and subtropics, particularly in Asia where it has been considered as king of the fruits (Purseglove, 1972). Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) are well known relatives of Mangifera belonging to the same family. The mango tree besides giving superior fruit, it provides shade against the tropical sun, timber, fuel and fodder. Seedling trees can be grown on the sides of gulleys and streams, thus ensuring soil conservation. Although a tropical fruit, it grows equally well under semi-tropical conditions up to the altitude of 1400masl but fruiting is poor above 500m.

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