First Record of Arrhenophagus chionaspidis Aurivillius (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) Parasitizing White Mango Scale in Kenya: Its Potential Distribution and Prospects in Biocontrol

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Journal of Applied Entomology

Name of Author

• Francis Obala, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Rehemah Gwokyalya, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Shepard Ndlela, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Ingo Grass, Universität Hohenheim
• Georg Petschenka, Universität Hohenheim
• Sunday Ekesi, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Samira A. Mohamed, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Abstract

The white mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is one of the most destructive pests of mango worldwide. Its current management in most of the invaded areas largely depends on the intensive use of chemical insecticides. Biological control using parasitoids represents one of the most effective and environmentally sustainable management options. However, in Kenya, one of Africa's leading mango-producing countries, no effective parasitoid species associated with A. tubercularis had previously been recorded. This study aimed to identify encyrtid parasitoids associated with A. tubercularis in Kenya, and to assess how bioclimatic factors influence their occurrence and habitat suitability. Mango leaves infested with A. tubercularis were collected from 65 mango orchards across 10 counties, with sampling sites at least 4 km apart. Newly emerged parasitoids were reared on A. tubercularis for three successive generations to confirm host suitability and successful parasitism. Morphological and molecular identification of the recovered parasitoids revealed Arrhenophagus chionaspidis Aurivillius (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) as the only parasitoid that parasitized the male A. tubercularis. This parasitoid species was widely distributed, occurring in 60 out of the 65 sampled orchards. Ecological niche modelling indicated that major mango-growing areas in Kenya in the western, eastern, central, and coastal regions represent moderately to highly suitable habitats for A. chionaspidis under current and projected climatic conditions in the year 2070. The widespread occurrence and predicted persistence of A. chionaspidis highlight its potential for biological control of A. tubercularis in Kenya and other mango-producing regions of Africa.

Keywords

Arrhenophagus chionaspidis, augmentative biocontrol, habitat suitability, modelling, white mango scale

Recommended Citation

Obala, F., Azrag, A., Gwokyalya, R., Ndlela, S., Grass, I., Petschenka, G., Ekesi, S., & Mohamed, S. (2026). First Record of Arrhenophagus chionaspidis Aurivillius (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) Parasitizing White Mango Scale in Kenya: Its Potential Distribution and Prospects in Biocontrol. Journal of Applied Entomology https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.70126

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