BARK BEETLE, HYPOCRYPHALUS MANGIFERAE STEBBING (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE: SCOLYTINAE) IS A VECTOR OF MANGO SUDDEN DEATH DISEASE IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Role of bark beetle Hypocryphalus mangiferae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) was assessed and proved as a definitive vector in the transmission of Mango sudden death disease (MSDD). Studies were carried out in the southern Punjab, Pakistan. Healthy plants of mango (Mangifera indica L.) were enclosed with beetles with and without fungus inoculum by employing a technique “Mesh Enclosure Method” (MEM). Symptoms expression revealed that the wilting was significant in 3 and 6 months but no significant differences in oozing were found and also other symptoms like black streaks and cankers were observed in the plants on which infested beetles were introduced. Re-isolation of fungi after 7.5 months showed higher frequency of Lasiodiplodia theobromae compared to Ceratocystis fimbriata. In order to confirm the results, both of the fungi were also isolated from adult beetles and beetle‘s frass. Based on our findings, H. mangiferae was found to transmit the infection of Mango Sudden Death Disease in healthy plants which necessitates an integrated approach considering the disease and its vector for the sustainable management of MSDD in orchards.