Arthropod communities associated with mango (Mangifera indica L.): Diversity and interactions

Abstract

Arthropod abundance and diversity are valuable indicators of the impact of agricultural practices on biodiversity. Mango (Mangifera indica L.), being an evergreen perennial tree, harbours diverse arthropod fauna at different phenological stages. The fauna associated with mango consists of pests, natural enemies, pollinators, millipedes and centipedes. Insects are the dominant arthropods both as harmful pests and beneficial organisms. Mites, though in small proportion, form an important group as pests. About 400 species of insect and mite pests are reported on mango. Of them only a few like leafhoppers, fruit flies, stone weevil, stem and shoot borers, mealybugs and leaf webbers are of economic importance. Among pestiferous arthropods, majority (about 45 % of total species) are foliage feeders followed by fruit feeders (32 %). Predator arthropods like spiders, ladybird beetles, mantids and ants help to maintain the general equilibrium in the ecosystem. Since mango is a cross-pollinated crop, insect pollinators form a crucial component of mango ecosystem and help to sustain the genetic diversity. Flies of families Calliphoridae and Syrphidae and honeybees constitute the major chunk of pollinators. Intensive orchard system of mango involving large-scale use of pesticides, clean cultivation and dominance of a few varieties resulting in narrowed genetic diversity has adversely impacted the species richness of arthropods. Adoption of ecologically sustainable crop management practices is essential to conserve the diversity of beneficials.