Published Paper Details:

The authors found armoured scale Abgrallaspis azadirachti infesting Azadirachta indica (Neem). Fruit in the orchard is afflicted with armoured scale insects due to Neem trees infested with Abgrallaspis azadirachti, and the wind is undoubtedly responsible for the armoured scale insects spread. The majority of armoured scale crawlers settle on their maternal host trees; a small number of adult females are immobile, but a small number of adult males spread by wind to other adjacent plants. Armoured scale insects can spread in two ways - passively on infested plants and through long distance wind borne dispersal of crawlers. The dispersal pattern of Abgrallaspis azadirachti crawlers was studied. Windborn crawlers were trapped up to some distance away from the host tree using greased plates scattered around the orchard. Crawlers moved from October to December, peaking in December .In a 48-hour period, a maximum of five crawlers were trapped.