Mango day is quickly approaching (July 22nd), and these fruits definitely deserve their own day for their popularity in salsa, smoothies, and as a snack by themselves. However, be careful when you have extra mango, as they can attract fruit flies in your kitchen! Originally from the Indo-Burma region in Asia, they are known for their round to oval shape, and their color ranges from light green to dark red.
They were introduced to Florida in 1833 and are typically pollinated by thrips, flies, and honeybees. Today mango trees can be grown commercially on a farm or planted in your backyard.
If you own a mango tree, be aware that these trees are very susceptible to many diseases and pests. In Florida alone, the following bugs are pests in Mango trees: bud mites (Eriophyes mangiferae), red-banded thrips (Selenothrips rubrocinctus), False oleander scale (Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli), Pyriform scale (Protopulvinaria pyriformis), Dictyospermum scale (Chrysomphalus dictyospermi), Florida red scale (C. aoaidum), Mites (Paratetranychus yothersii), Florida thrips (Frankliniella bispinosa), and Ambrosia beetles (Xylosandrus spp.).
To avoid these pests, properly take care of your mango tree by planting it in proper sites and soil, fertilizing it frequently, and watering it appropriately based on the current season. Suppose you have a pest problem on your mango tree.
Source: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216
Source: UF/IFAS Pest Alert
Note: All images and contents are the property of UF/IFAS.
