First report on Rastrococcus invadens Williams (Mango mealybug) in Uganda

Publication Date

Thu, 09 Jun 2022, 06:32

Last Updated

June 9, 2022, 6:54 a.m.

Report Number

UGA-03/2

Country

Uganda

Pest Id

Rastrococcus invadens - (RASTIN)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

R. invadens is a polyphagous pest that feeds on mango, banana, citrus and other ornamentals belonging to over 22 plant families. However many of the plants are not known to sustain the Mango mealybug.

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: not widely distributed and not under official control

Geographical Distribution

The R. invadens was confirmed present in Uganda from samples collected from Sofia Cell located in Kafunjo Town Council, Ruhama, Ntungamo District. Sofia Cell is located on the Rwanda-Uganda Border town, called Kagitumba

Summary

Rastrococcus invadens (Mango Mealybug was detected in Uganda, in 2021, during a detection survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries. The survey followed a confirmed report of the R. invadens in Rwanda in 2019.

The survey was the second and conducted in August 2021. The survey was facilitated by the Food and Agricultural Organisation, under the project, "Enhance preparedness and response capacity of the countries in the Subregional office of Eastern Africa to the Mango mealybug (Rastrococcus invadens Williams)."

Sample specimens for mango , banana and citrus fruits, leaves, twigs, were collected from the eastern, western, northern, central and south western parts of the country. The samples collected were analysed by the Natural History Museum, in London United Kingdom in November 2021. The analytical report confirmed the presence of the Mango mealybug (R. invadens Williams) in specimens collected from Sofia Cell Kafunjo Town Council, Ruhama, Ntungamo District in the south, south western region.

Danger

Presence of the R. invadens (mango mealybug) has the potential to affect Uganda, economically, culturally and environmentally. It has severe impact on production and quality of mango and citrus fruits produced. It has been reported to reduce mango and citrus yield by 89%-100%. Large numbers of the pest are reported to interfere with the natural predators and parasitoids, lizards and birds that would have kept them in check. Mealybugs cause massive defoliation thus exposing some habitats to ultraviolet light that is dangerous for existence of biodiversity. Negative impact on production and quality of produce will affect the livelihoods of especially the communities due to reduced roadside sales and contribute to malnutrition.

Contact for info

Caroline Nankinga Mary Kukiriza (PhD), Assistant Commissioner Phytosanitary and Quarantine Inspection Services, Department of Crop Inspection and Certification, Ministry of Agriculture Animal INdustry and Fisheries, PO.Box 102, Entebbe, UGANDA. Email: [email protected]

Report files

Official report

Website

Issue keywords

Quarantine pests

Commodity keywords