Ayub, M., Rizvi, S.A.H., Hussain, I., Hashmi, M.A., Hussain, I., Hussain, S., Hussain, Z., & Kabir, R. 2024 Mealybug (Drosicha sp. Monophlebidae: Hemiptera) Population Density on Different Host Plants and Their Management. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences 36(4): 297-303
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Notes: Mealybug (Drosicha sp.) is an invasive insect pest of forest trees in Skardu (Gilgit-Baltistan). Currently, its management relies on the use of synthetic chemical insecticides. During 2019-20, the individual and combined effects of cultural control techniques including soil racking, egg burning, and egg removal from stem crevices, were evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling this invasive insect pest. Three types of forest trees including willow (Salix wilhelmsiana. Bieb), poplar (Populus ciliata Wall.), and Russian olive (Elaeagnus hortensis M. Bieb) were examined for mealybug population density trends and host preference. The findings indicated that implementing both soil racking and egg removal techniques resulted in a significant reduction (92.29%) in the population of mealybugs compared to the control trees.
