November 17, 2025 | Journal of Applied Entomology |
The study conducted by Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Brazil, addressed the need for efficient and reliable sampling strategies to support integrated pest management in high-density mango production systems. Effective monitoring is essential for timely and cost-effective pest control, particularly in intensive orchards where labor and operational costs are high.
The research focused on developing a practical sampling plan for major mango pests, specifically scale insects and thrips, in commercial high-density ‘Palmer’ mango orchards in the Submiddle São Francisco Valley, northeastern Brazil. The study evaluated how pest incidence varied with branch position in the canopy (internal versus external) and across different vegetative flushes. In addition, the optimal number of plants to be sampled per hectare was assessed by comparing sampling intensities ranging from 12 to 32 plants per hectare.
Results showed that pest populations differed between vegetative flushes, with higher incidence of scale insects and thrips observed in the second vegetative flush during the first harvest. However, increasing the number of sampled plants did not significantly change estimates of pest abundance. Based on these findings, sampling 12 plants per hectare, focusing on the second vegetative flush, was sufficient to accurately monitor pest populations. This sampling plan offers a cost-effective approach for pest surveillance in high-density mango orchards and supports more efficient integrated pest management decisions.
