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The article discusses various directions of activity in the agricultural field, including the fact that fruit growing is the most important occupation of the population in the development of agriculture. Fruit growing is considered one of the ancient fields. Many types of Diaspididae harm citrus and fruit plants, ornamental plants, and more. Thus, it causes their leaves to dry out, fruit to fall out, and even the plant to perish. Cushions with California beetle (Diaspidiotus perniciosus Comst.), comma-shaped beetle (Lepidosaphes ulmi L.), Lemon beetle (Pscudococcuscitri Risso.), etc. are more dangerous pests for plants. Diaspididaes do more damage in warm subtropical and tropical countries. While the vast majority of diaspididaes are pests, a small number are good. Dactylopius cacti common in Mexico, Kermes vermilion on the Mediterranean coast, Margarodes polonicus in Poland, Porphyrophora hameli in Transcaucasia, etc. are of great importance to industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Sciences / Jurnal Ilmu Pertanian Indonesia is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although nanoparticles have gained attention as efficient alternatives to conventional agricultural chemicals, there is limited knowledge regarding their effects on herbivorous insect behavior and plant physicochemistry. Here, we investigated the effects of foliar applications of nano-silica (SiO2NPs) and nano-selenium (SeNPs), and bulk-size silica (SiO2) on the choice behavior of the arrowhead scale insect on mandarin orange plants. One leaf of a bifoliate pair was treated with one of the three chemicals, while the other was treated with water (control). The respective SiO2, SeO2, calcium (Ca), and carbon (C) content levels in the leaf epidermis and mesophyll were quantified using SEM–EDX (or SEM–EDS); leaf toughness and the arrowhead scale density and body size were measured. First-instar nymphs preferred silica-treated leaves and avoided SeNP-treated leaves. SiO2 content did not differ between control and SiO2NP-treated leaves, but was higher in bulk-size SiO2-treated leaves. The SiO2 level in the control leaves was higher in the SiO2NP treatment compared with that in the control leaves in the bulk-size SiO2 treatment. Silica-treated leaves increased in toughness, but SeNP-treated leaves did not; leaf toughness increased with mesophyllic SiO2 content. The insect density per leaf increased with leaf toughness, SiO2 content and, in the SiO2NP treatment, with epidermal C content. There was no correlation between SeO2 content and insect density. This study highlights the potential uses of SeNPs as an insect deterrent and of silica for enhancing leaf toughness and attracting scale insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey for parasitoids of Lopholeucaspis japonica Cockerell (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), an exotic scale of woody ornamentals, resulted in the discovery of 3 species of aphelinid parasitoid wasps, Pteroptrix chinensis (Howard), Aphytis hispanicus (Mercet), and Marlattiella prima Howard. This serves as the first report of these parasitoids reared from a host in the state of Tennessee, USA. Despite routine pesticide applications in the surveyed nursery and directed treatments of the infested plants to control the scale outbreak, the percentage of parasitized scale in privet and euonymus shrubs averaged 7.0% and 7.9%, respectively. These parasitoids may be useful in the natural or managed control of this pest in the United States, but additional research is needed to understand how these parasitoids contribute to the control of L. japonica in the landscape and how nursery production practices can be modified to promote parasitoid populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Lepidosaphes malicola (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the Armenian mussel scale, for the territory of the European Union, following commodity risk assessments of Prunus persica and P. dulcis plants for planting from Türkiye, in which L. malicola was identified as a pest of possible concern. L. malicola is a polyphagous insect of temperate and arid areas, feeding on more than 60 plant species belonging to 26 families. Important crops significantly affected by L. malicola in parts of Asia include stone fruits (Prunus armeniaca, P. persica), pome fruits (Malus domestica, Pyrus communis), grapes (Vitis vinifera), pomegranate (Punica granatum), walnuts (Juglans regia) and ornamental plants (Berberis spp., Cornus spp., Jasminum spp., Ligustrum spp.). L. malicola has two generations annually. The overwintered eggs hatch from late May to early June. First‐instar nymphs crawl on the host plant for a short period, then settle to feed. Nymphs reach maturity in late summer or early autumn. Plants for planting, fruits and cut flowers provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability suggest that southern, central and some parts of northern EU countries would be suitable for the establishment of L. malicola. Despite being a pest in Armenia, Iran and Tajikistan, there is no evidence of it being a pest in Türkiye. L. malicola was detected in Bulgaria and Greece over 30 years ago, but there have been no records since, and its status is uncertain. Its ability to cause an impact in the EU is also uncertain. It is not listed in Annex II of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. Except for the criterion of having an economic or environmental impact, for which there is great uncertainty, L. malicola satisfies all other criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Lepidosaphes malicola (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the Armenian mussel scale, for the territory of the European Union, following commodity risk assessments of Prunus persica and P. dulcis plants for planting from Türkiye, in which L. malicola was identified as a pest of possible concern. L. malicola is a polyphagous insect of temperate and arid areas, feeding on more than 60 plant species belonging to 26 families. Important crops significantly affected by L. malicola in parts of Asia include stone fruits (Prunus armeniaca, P. persica), pome fruits (Malus domestica, Pyrus communis), grapes (Vitis vinifera), pomegranate (Punica granatum), walnuts (Juglans regia) and ornamental plants (Berberis spp., Cornus spp., Jasminum spp., Ligustrum spp.). L. malicola has two generations annually. The overwintered eggs hatch from late May to early June. First‐instar nymphs crawl on the host plant for a short period, then settle to feed. Nymphs reach maturity in late summer or early autumn. Plants for planting, fruits and cut flowers provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability suggest that southern, central and some parts of northern EU countries would be suitable for the establishment of L. malicola. Despite being a pest in Armenia, Iran and Tajikistan, there is no evidence of it being a pest in Türkiye. L. malicola was detected in Bulgaria and Greece over 30 years ago, but there have been no records since, and its status is uncertain. Its ability to cause an impact in the EU is also uncertain. It is not listed in Annex II of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. Except for the criterion of having an economic or environmental impact, for which there is great uncertainty, L. malicola satisfies all other criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Background The genus Froggattiella Leonardi, 1900 belongs to the family Diaspididae, and five species of Froggattiella have been recorded worldwide. In this study, Froggattiella penicillata (Green, 1905), which attacks bamboos, is newly recorded in South Korea. The colonies of F. penicillata were collected on a bamboo forest located in Gajwa-dong, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea (35.1599, 128.1029). Description of the adult female, host plant, adult female illustrations, and global distribution of this species are provided. New information Froggattiella penicillata (Green, 1905) is reported for the first time in South Korea. This species occurrs under sheathing bases of the leaves and is observed attached on the stem and not on the leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although nanoparticles have gained attention as efficient alternatives to conventional agricultural chemicals, there is limited knowledge regarding their effects on herbivorous insect behavior and plant physicochemistry. Here, we investigated the effects of foliar applications of nano-silica (SiO2NPs) and nano-selenium (SeNPs), and bulk-size silica (SiO2) on the choice behavior of the arrowhead scale insect on mandarin orange plants. One leaf of a bifoliate pair was treated with one of the three chemicals, while the other was treated with water (control). The respective SiO2, SeO2, calcium (Ca), and carbon (C) content levels in the leaf epidermis and mesophyll were quantified using SEM–EDX (or SEM–EDS); leaf toughness and the arrowhead scale density and body size were measured. First-instar nymphs preferred silica-treated leaves and avoided SeNP-treated leaves. SiO2 content did not differ between control and SiO2NP-treated leaves, but was higher in bulk-size SiO2-treated leaves. The SiO2 level in the control leaves was higher in the SiO2NP treatment compared with that in the control leaves in the bulk-size SiO2 treatment. Silica-treated leaves increased in toughness, but SeNP-treated leaves did not; leaf toughness increased with mesophyllic SiO2 content. The insect density per leaf increased with leaf toughness, SiO2 content and, in the SiO2NP treatment, with epidermal C content. There was no correlation between SeO2 content and insect density. This study highlights the potential uses of SeNPs as an insect deterrent and of silica for enhancing leaf toughness and attracting scale insects.

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Aonidiella orientalis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the oriental scale, for the EU. A. orientalis is a species mostly occurring in tropical and subtropical areas. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is a polyphagous species, with hosts in more than 160 plant genera belonging to more than 70 families. Numerous important crops suffer economic losses from A. orientalis such as citrus, figs, mangoes, papayas, bananas, palms, tea and some ornamentals. A. orientalis has also been recorded on several other crops which are important for the EU such as cotton, apricots, peaches and grapes, but there are no records of economic impact on these hosts. This scale insect reproduces rapidly and may reach high population density between 15 and 30°C. In the tropics, the scale breeds continuously, generations overlap and all life stages coexist. In Queensland, Australia, A. orientalis can have up to six generations each year. The main natural dispersal stage is the first instar which crawls over the natal host plant or to adjacent host plants and can be dispersed further by wind. Plants for planting, vegetables, cut flowers and fruits provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Between 1997 and 2019, the UK intercepted A. orientalis more than 120 times, most frequently on mangoes and guava fruit. Climatic conditions and host availability in southern EU MS are favourable for outdoor establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. The main uncertainties include the area of establishment and magnitude of impact. A. orientalis meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La familia Hemisarcoptidae (Acari: Sarcoptiformes) se reporta por primera vez en Cuba, a partir de deutoninfas heteromórficas (hipopus) de Hemisarcoptes cooremani (Thomas, 1961) adheridas al cuerpo de pupas y una larva de Chilocorus cacti L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), colectadas sobre cultivos de Carica papaya L. localizados en el municipio Segundo Frente, provincia Santiago de Cuba. Se ilustra y describe la morfología de los hipopus, así como su localización en el cuerpo de los primeros instares de C. cacti. Se abordan aspectos sobre la relación forética y mutualista entre ambas especies, detectada en este estudio desde estadios juveniles, un comportamiento con escasos registros. Esta asociación permitirá explorar nuevas estrategias para el control de plagas en Cuba, principalmente contra los insectos escama.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Aonidiella orientalis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the oriental scale, for the EU. A. orientalis is a species mostly occurring in tropical and subtropical areas. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is a polyphagous species, with hosts in more than 160 plant genera belonging to more than 70 families. Numerous important crops suffer economic losses from A. orientalis such as citrus, figs, mangoes, papayas, bananas, palms, tea and some ornamentals. A. orientalis has also been recorded on several other crops which are important for the EU such as cotton, apricots, peaches and grapes, but there are no records of economic impact on these hosts. This scale insect reproduces rapidly and may reach high population density between 15 and 30°C. In the tropics, the scale breeds continuously, generations overlap and all life stages coexist. In Queensland, Australia, A. orientalis can have up to six generations each year. The main natural dispersal stage is the first instar which crawls over the natal host plant or to adjacent host plants and can be dispersed further by wind. Plants for planting, vegetables, cut flowers and fruits provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Between 1997 and 2019, the UK intercepted A. orientalis more than 120 times, most frequently on mangoes and guava fruit. Climatic conditions and host availability in southern EU MS are favourable for outdoor establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. The main uncertainties include the area of establishment and magnitude of impact. A. orientalis meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Copyright of Journal of Plant Protection & Pathology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Plant Protection & Pathology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Aulacaspis tubercularis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the white mango scale, for the EU. A. tubercularis is a tropical species that originates from Asia but is now established in several tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. It also occurs within the EU and is established in Italy, Portugal and Spain. A. tubercularis is not listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is polyphagous, feeding on plants in more than 37 genera in 23 families and is most frequently reported on mango (Mangifera indica). Indeed, it is considered one of the key pests of mango crops around the world. No evidence was found indicating damage to crops other than mango. A. tubercularis is established in southern Spain (Andalusia) with four overlapping generations and two population peaks, one in summer and another in autumn. Andalusia is the main mango producing area of the EU and A. tubercularis can cause losses through downgrading of fruit. The main natural dispersal stage is the first instar, which crawls over the host plant or may be dispersed further by wind and animals. Plants for planting and fruits provide potential pathways for further entry and spread. Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in southern EU countries are conducive for establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of further entry and further spread. A. tubercularis satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Aulacaspis tubercularis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the white mango scale, for the EU. A. tubercularis is a tropical species that originates from Asia but is now established in several tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. It also occurs within the EU and is established in Italy, Portugal and Spain. A. tubercularis is not listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is polyphagous, feeding on plants in more than 37 genera in 23 families and is most frequently reported on mango (Mangifera indica). Indeed, it is considered one of the key pests of mango crops around the world. No evidence was found indicating damage to crops other than mango. A. tubercularis is established in southern Spain (Andalusia) with four overlapping generations and two population peaks, one in summer and another in autumn. Andalusia is the main mango producing area of the EU and A. tubercularis can cause losses through downgrading of fruit. The main natural dispersal stage is the first instar, which crawls over the host plant or may be dispersed further by wind and animals. Plants for planting and fruits provide potential pathways for further entry and spread. Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in southern EU countries are conducive for establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of further entry and further spread. A. tubercularis satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

This present study aimed to report the scale insects associated on Mangifera indica L. in the Submedium São Francisco Valley, Brazil. Four species were collected: Pseudischnaspis bowreyi (Cockerell), Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Diaspididae) and Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock (Coccidae) on fruits and leaves and Ceroplastes stellifer (Westwood) on leaves. Pseudischnaspis bowreyi is associated for the first time with mango trees in Brazil. Ceroplastes floridensis and P. bowreyi are reported for the first time in the states of Bahia and Pernambuco and C. stellifer in the state of Bahia. All scale insects obtained in this study caused injuries that led to control methods adopted by the growers to reduce their populations, but only A. tubercularis was already reported in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study was conducted in 2017-2019 in Aydın province in order to detect armored scale insects that are harmful in park and ornamental plants. As a result of the determinations, 9 species belonging to the Diaspididae family were identified. These species are; Aonidia lauri (Bouche), Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), Chionaspis salicis (Linnaeus), Comstockaspis perniciosa (Comstock), Lepidosaphes ulmi (Linnaeus), Leucaspis pini (Hartig), Parlatoria oleae (Colvée), Pseudalaucaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti), Unaspis euonymi (Comstock). In this study, Ceratonia siliqua with Comstockaspis perniciosa, and Viola sp. with Lepidosaphes ulmi found on them are new record hosts in the world. Also in Aydın province, Populus sp. with Chionaspis salicis and in Turkey, Aonidiella aurantii, were detected for the first time on which Hedera helix.

This study was carried out to determine the species of armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) in park and ornamental plants in Burdur province and districts in 2018 and 2019. A total of 10 species belonging to Diaspididae family were identified the names of Carulaspis juniperi (Bouché), Carulaspis minima (Signoret), Chionaspis salicis (Linnaeus), Lepidosaphes ulmi (Linnaeus), Leucaspis lowi Colvée, Leucaspis pini (Hartig), Leucaspis pusilla Löw, Parlatoria oleae (Colvée), Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti) ve Unaspis euonymi (Comstock). C. juniperi, C. minima and U. euonymi species are the first records for Burdur province.

In the study carried out in Dalaman, Köyceğiz and Marmaris districts of Muğla province in 2018-2019; harmful the armored scale insects have been identified in park and ornamental plants. As a result of the study, 9 species belonging to the Diaspididae family were determined. These species are; Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell, 1879), A. citrina (Coquillett, 1891), Aspidiotus nerii (Bouche, 1833), Carulaspis minima (Signoret, 1869), Lepidosaphes malicola (Borchsenius, 1947), L. ulmi (Linnaeus, 1758), Melanaspis inapinota (Leonardi, 1913), Parlatoria oleae (Colvée, 1880), Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti, 1886). P. pentagona, L. malicola and C. minima species are the first record for Muğla province. For the first time in the world were found L. ulmi on Liquidambar orientalis Mill. and A. citrina on Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L. Wendl.

This study led to the discovery of three entomopathogenic fungi associated with Kuwanaspis howardi, a scale insect on Phyllostachys heteroclada (fishscale bamboo) and Pleioblastus amarus (bitter bamboo) in China. Two of these species belong to Podonectria: P. kuwanaspidis X.L. Xu & C.L. Yang sp. nov. and P. novae-zelandiae Dingley. The new species P. kuwanaspidis has wider and thicker setae, longer and wider asci, longer ascospores, and more septa as compared with similar Podonectria species. The morphs of extant species P. novae-zelandiae is confirmed based on sexual and asexual morphologies. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-a, and rpb2 sequence data provide further evidence for the validity of the two species and their placement in Podonectriaceae (Pleosporales). The second new species, Microcera kuwanaspidis X.L. Xu & C.L. Yang sp. nov., is established based on DNA sequence data from ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-a, rpb1, rpb2, acl1, act, cmdA, and his3 gene regions, and it is characterized by morphological differences in septum numbers and single conidial mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is one of the most damaging pests of mango crops around the world, causing conspicuous pink blemishes on ripe fruits that reduce their commercial value. This research aims to determine the seasonal trend of this invasive pest in Southern Spain as a first step to develop an integrated pest management program. Periodic sampling in two mango groves from June 2013 to December 2015 showed that A. tubercularis completed four overlapping generations annually. Pest density started to increase in spring (mid-May), reaching the highest pest population levels in summer (mid-August) and early autumn (mid-October), corresponding with the ripening and harvesting periods, respectively. Aulacaspis tubercularis was mostly found on the upper leaf surface, although the pest was also located on the lower leaf surface. Fruit became infested by crawlers of the first generation during the early fruit development period and the scale was more abundant during the ripening period. In addition, the efficacies of four reduced-risk insecticides were tested at commercially recommended field rates on nymphs and adults of A. tubercularis in mango trees. Fourteen days after the treatment, paraffin oil at 1.25% was the most effective insecticide (90.87%) for both scale stages, followed by diatomaceous earth (77.18%), azadirachtin (69.32%) and paraffin oil at 0.75% (46.24%). These results will improve field sampling protocols and facilitate the development of integrated pest management programs based on the conservation of natural enemies combined with paraffin oil applications in spring before the scales migrate to the fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most herbivorous insects are diet specialists in spite of the apparent advantages of being a generalist. This conundrum might be explained by fitness trade‐offs on alternative host plants, yet the evidence of such trade‐offs has been elusive. Another hypothesis is that specialization is nonadaptive, evolving through neutral population‐genetic processes and within the bounds of historical constraints. Here, we report on a striking lack of evidence for the adaptiveness of specificity in tropical canopy communities of armored scale insects. We find evidence of pervasive diet specialization, and find that host use is phylogenetically conservative, but also find that more‐specialized species occur on fewer of their potential hosts than do less‐specialized species, and are no more abundant where they do occur. Of course local communities might not reflect regional diversity patterns. But based on our samples, comprising hundreds of species of hosts and armored scale insects at two widely separated sites, more‐specialized species do not appear to outperform more generalist species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A new armored scale species, Aspidiotus mousavii sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) is described and illustrated. The specimens were collected on Matthiola revoluta (Brassicaceae) in Semnan province, Iran.

Five new species of armored scale insect from Argentina are described and illustrated based upon morphological and molecular evidence from adult females: Chortinaspis jujuyensis sp. nov., Clavaspis patagonensis sp. nov., Hemiberlesia ozolita sp. nov., Melanaspis lilloi sp. nov., and Melanaspis targionoides sp. nov. The genera Chortinaspis and Melanaspis are recorded for the first time from this country. An identification key to all recorded species from tribe Aspidiotini occurring in Argentina is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Seychelles scale, Icerya seychellarum (Westwood, 1855) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Monophlebidae), is reported for the first time in Italy. Moreover, the occurrence of the white mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis (Newstead, 1906) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), firstly reported in 1990 on mango trees growing outdoors in a nursery near Milazzo (Messina province, Sicily), and then intercepted in 2013 on mango plants imported from Florida (USA) to the Botanical Garden in Padova (Italy), is confirmed. Both species were found in two Sicilian mango orchards located in the province of Messina. Their introduction is most likely due to the orchards planting using infested mango nursery plants. The potential impact of these species, which in the Mediterranean area appeared to be occasionally invasive, is briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Coffee is one of the most important Brazilian agricultural commodities exported, and Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo States are the main coffee producers. Scale insects are important coffee pests, and 73 species of Cerococcidae (3), Coccidae (18), Diaspididae (6), Eriococcidae (1), Ortheziidae (3), Pseudococcidae (21), Putoidae (2) and Rhizoecidae (19) have been associated with roots, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits of Arabica coffee in the Neotropics. Eight species were found associated with Arabica coffee in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo States in this study, and Coccidae was the most frequent family. Coccus alpinus, Cc. celatus, Cc. lizeri, Cc. viridis, and Saissetia coffeae (Coccidae) were found in both states; Alecanochiton marquesi, Pseudaonidia trilobitiformis (Diaspididae), and Dysmicoccus texensis (Pseudococcidae) were only found in Minas Gerais. Alecanochiton marquesi and P. trilobitiformis are first reported in Minas Gerais, and Cc. alpinus in Espírito Santo, on Arabica coffee. All scale insect species were associated with coffee leaves and branches, except D. texensis, associated with coffee roots. Fourty seven scale insect species have been found occurring in Brazilian Arabica coffee, and in Espírito Santo (28) and Minas Gerais (23). Widespread and geographical distribution of each species found are discussed.

The new armored scale species Acanthomytilus cupressicola Moghaddam sp. n. is described and illustrated from specimens collected on Cypress trees in Iran. Although most species of Acanthomytilus are known to occur on Poaceae, this is the second species of the genus, except A. kurdicus Bodenheimer, that is here recorded from woody plants.

ABSTRACT As a result of recent field work in southern Iran from 2012 to 2016, twenty species of armoured scale insects were collected, representing two subfamilies (Aspidiotinae and Diaspidinae) and 4 tribes including Aspidiotini (8 species in 5 genera), Diaspidini (4 species in 2 genera), Leucaspidini (5 species in 4 genera) and Parlatoriini (3 species in 1 genus). The species Diaspidiotus gigas (Thiem and Gerneck), is illustrated and redescribed from Iran for the first time. In addition, four species are reported and redescribed from south of Iran for the first time: Aspidiotus nerii Bouché, Diaspidiotus armenicus Borchsenius, Leucaspis pusilla Löw, Melanaspis louristana Balachowsky and Kaussari.

The consumption rate, survival, and developmental duration of the coccidophagous coccinellid Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a predator of the armored scale insect, Aspidiotus nerii Bouche (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) were studied under laboratory conditions at two temperature regimes of 25 ± 1 and 30 ± 1°C, 50–65% RH, and 16L:8D. Developmental time (egg to adult) significantly decreased with increase in the temperature. It lasted 27.5 days at 25 ± 1°C and 21.3 days at 30 ± 1°C. The development threshold of R. lophanthae immature stages was 7.823°C, while the thermal constant was 472.379 degree-days. No mortality was recorded during the incubation period. The total mortality rate amongst the larval instars was with 3.33% at 25 ± 1°C and 6.77% at 30 ± 1°C. The sex ratio male to female was 1:1.06. The consumption rate significantly increased with increasing temperatures and within the larval instars. The four larval instar consumed 24.3 and 33.5 adults of A. nerii at 25 ± 1 and 30 ± 1°C, respectively. Overall, micro-climate temperature had a significant impact on the biological parameters of R. lophanthae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second instar of Diaspidiotus ostreaeformis is redescribed and illustrated. Dimorphic characters are presented. It is shown that in both sexes of this species the numbers of long macroducts differ in specimens from different host-plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The mango white scale (EBM), Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is a pest that damages foliage and decreases the commercial value of mango fruits. Phytosanitary pruning is a cultural practice that can help reduce EBM populations in mango orchards. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of phytosanitary prunings in EBM populations and their natural enemies in a mango orchard Ataulfo, in Chiapas, Mexico. The phytosanitary pruning was done after the mango harvest (month of May) and its impact on EBM between December 2013 and May 2014 was evaluated, a period considered to be the one with the highest abundance of EBM populations in Chiapas. It was found that the abundance of colonies and total of scales (females + colonies) was lower in trees with phytosanitary prunings compared to mango trees without pruning. The natural enemies that were observed in trees with pruning and without pruning were identified as Ceraeochrysa sp., Azya sp. and Pentilia sp. No significant differences were detected in the abundance of natural enemies between mango trees with and without phytosanitary pruning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prickly acacia, Vachellia nilotica ssp. indica (Benth.) Kyal. & Boatwr, is a significant weed of northern Australia and has been a target of weed biological control in Australia since the 1980s. Following native range surveys in India, the scale insect Anomalococcus indicus Ayyar was identified as the most promising agent and was imported into Australia for further research. A. indicus is a major pest of prickly acacia on the Indian subcontinent, where it causes shoot tip dieback and plant death. Despite field observations suggesting the species was specific to V. nilotica, A. indicus completed development on 17 of the 84 non-target plant species tested during no-choice host specificity trials under quarantine conditions. Of these, Acacia falcata, V. bidwillii, V. sutherlandii and Neptunia major supported high numbers of mature females in all replicates. All of these species were utilised in choice trials. Combined risk scores indicate that V. sutherlandii, N. major and A. falcata may be attacked in the field. Due to the limited ability of scale insects to disperse, only those non-target species that occur on the Mitchell grass downs (i.e. V. sutherlandii) are considered to be at risk. Nevertheless, in view of the disparity between quarantine test results and the observed field host specificity of A. indicus in India, field trials are currently being conducted in India using Australian native species on which complete development has occurred. The future of A. indicus as a biological control agent for prickly acacia in Australia will be determined once results from these field trials are known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coconut scale insect, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne, caused a major pest outbreak in coconut plantations and stands in the Southern Tagalog region of Luzon Island in the Philippines between 2010 and 2015. To determine if parasitism by Comperiella calauanica Barrion, Almarinez and Amalin, a native encyrtid, could have been a factor in the eventual management of the outbreak by 2015, we estimated and assessed its parasitization levels on A. rigidus colonies on field-collected samples from selected points in three provinces in the Southern Tagalog Region across three sampling periods. We observed that C. calauanica consistently occurred only in areas where A. rigidus populations occurred, with high parasitization levels in the Southern Tagalog sites from 2014 to 2015. Results of correlation and regression of total scale count against parasitized scale count suggest putative host density-dependent parasitism by C. calauanica in the field. A marked decrease in the abundance of A. rigidus was recorded concurrently with visually observable recovery of coconut trees from the third quarter of 2014 up to the second quarter of 2016. Similar results of significant reduction in A. rigidus populations concurrent with high percent parasitization by mass-reared and released C. calauanica were found in the Zamboanga Peninsula from 2018 to 2020. Our findings and observations altogether suggest that host-specific parasitization by C. calauanica effected biological control, which may have contributed to the eventual management of the A. rigidus outbreak in the Southern Tagalog Region, and also in the Zamboanga Peninsula where similar recovery of coconut trees were observed within a year after inoculative releases of C. calauanica.

Abstract Olive production (Olea europaea L.) is a recent activity in Brazil and studies on the adaptability of olive trees varieties in the States are required. One of the problems that can hamper the development of olive trees is the incidence of pests, such as scale insects (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha). In this study, the associated scale insect species were found in ten varieties in an olive grove located at the Research Center of the Serra do Sudeste Region (30º33’15”S, 52º23’45”W) in Brazil. The surveys were carried out twice in each season (2013-2014). Six species of armored scale insect (Diaspididae) and two soft scales (Coccidae) were determined. Saissetia oleae (Coccidae) with 88.15% and Aspidiotus nerii (Diaspididae) with 5.85% occurred in all varieties of olive trees. The varieties Arbequina, Frantoio and Cipressino were with greater richness of scale insects, the highest values of diversity occurred in Frantoio, Arbequina and Picual; in Alfafara, Arbosana and Coratina there was a high dominance of one species (S. oleae).

As cochonilhas-com-escudo (Hemiptera, Diaspididae) têm causado prejuízos significativos à cultura da videira no Rio Grande do Sul, principalmente em Vitis labrusca L. da cv. Niágara. No período de setembro de 2009 a outubro de 2011, foi realizado um inventário das espécies de Diaspididae ocorrentes no tronco das videiras e dos parasitoides associados. Foram avaliadas 32 propriedades localizadas nos municípios de Bento Gonçalves, Caxias do Sul, Flores da Cunha e Sarandi-RS. A espécie mais frequente e abundante foi Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret, 1869). Melanaspis arnaldoi (Costa Lima, 1924) e Pseudaonidia marquesi Costa Lima, 1924 foram registradas pela primeira vez em V. labrusca. Todas as espécies de cochonilhas apresentaram perfurações nos escudos indicando níveis de parasitismo natural que variaram de 11,3 a 76,5% para H. lataniae, de 9 a 58,8% para M. arnaldoi e de 3,4 a 22,2% para P. marquesi. As seguintes associações entre parasitoides e cochonilhas foram encontradas: Encarsia sp. (Aphelinidae), Plagiomerus sp. (Encyrtidae), Amitus sp. (Platygastridae) e o hiperparasitoide Chartocerus sp. (Signiphoridae) a H. lataniae; Homalopoda sp. (Encyrtidae) a P. marquesi e Chartocerus sp. a M. arnaldoi. Amitus sp., Homalopoda sp. e Chartocerus sp. foram associados pela primeira vez com estes diaspidídeos.

Fourteen species of armored scale insects are known only from New Caledonia. Here, the adult female of fourteen more are described: Agrophaspis ansevatae sp. n., Aonidia montikoghis sp. n., Aonidia pauca sp. n., Fernaldanna whita sp. n., Furcaspis costulariae sp. n., Greeniella casuarinae sp. n., Greeniella dacrydiae sp. n., Lepidosaphes monticola sp. n., Leptaspis pege gen. et sp. n., Leucaspis montikoghis sp. n., Melanaspis nothofagi sp. n., Neomorgania nothofagi sp. n., Pseudaonidia dugdali sp. n., and Pseudaonidia yateensis sp. n. We note that the diversity of New Caledonian armored scale insects appears to have resulted more from trans-oceanic dispersal than in situ speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Host specificity of parasitoids may be measured by various specialization indices to assess the variation of interaction strength among species and the structure of the wider interaction network. However, the conclusions from analyses at the species and network levels may differ, which remains poorly explored. In addition, the recovery of cryptic species of hosts and parasitoids with molecular data may affect the structure of inferred interaction links. We quantified host specificity of hymenopteran parasitoids (family Encyrtidae) on armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) from a wide geographic sampling range across the Chinese Mainland based on both morphological and molecular species delimitation. Mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S markers detected high cryptic species diversity in the encyrtids and to a lesser degree in the diaspidids, which divided generalist morphospecies into complexes of specialists and generalists. One‐to‐one reciprocal host–parasite links were increased in the molecular data set, but different quantitative species‐level indices produced contrasting estimates of specificity from various one‐to‐multiple and multiple‐to‐multiple host–parasite links. Network indices calculated from DNA‐based species, compared to morphology‐based species definitions, showed lower connectance and generality, but greater specialization and compartmentalization of the interaction network. We conclude that a high degree of cryptic species in host–parasitoid systems refines the true network structure and may cause us overestimating the stability of these interaction webs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of armoured scale insect, Parlatoria menglaensis sp. n. is described and illustrated, which infests leaves of Cinnamomum camphora in China. A key to the Parlatoria species occurring in China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Armoured scales (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) belong to the largest scale insect family and are among the most invasive insects in the world. Accurate identification of armoured scales is essential for systematic and phylogenetic studies; biogeography; trade and plant quarantine; and pest management, particularly biological control. Several species are serious pests of citrus. Records of past field surveys conducted in Viet Nam between 1967 and 2010 indicated the presence of 28 species on citrus there. Discrepancies in these records, and the retention of specimens of only five species in collections, led us to undertake surveys throughout the citrus-growing regions of the country in 2013 and 2014 to verify previous records and conserve voucher specimens. The presence of 21 diaspidid species was confirmed based on morphological and molecular data. The species observed were common but rarely abundant. Populations in commercial orchards may have been influenced by use of pesticides, but most species were recorded also in gardens and orchards where pesticide use was uncommon. Natural enemies were abundant, but were not thoroughly documented for all the diaspidids we observed. An identification key to the species collected is provided. Differences between our findings and previous records from Viet Nam, from Yunnan and Guangxi in China, and from Indochinese countries neighbouring Viet Nam, indicate the need for extensive surveys to fully document the diaspidid fauna on citrus in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera Coccinellidae) is a coccidophagous predator known as a natural enemy of Diaspididae scales. This study aimed to determine the suitability of Chrysomphalus dictyospermi Morgan (Hemiptera Diaspididae) as prey for this predator. Several traits such as larval development and survival, reproductive performance and reproductive investment were assessed. Pre-imaginal development time was short whereas immature age-specific survival rate was high. Fecundity, expressed in terms of lifetime fecundity and oviposition rate, was high. The soma and gonads fat contents of females were estimated to be 86.67 ± 1.52 and 13.33 ± 1.52%, respectively. Reproductive effort, the total egg mass expressed as a proportion of the female initial fresh mass, were almost 9-fold of their mass in eggs. Overall, our results show that C. dictyospermi is an essential and highly suitable prey for R. lophanthae and allows a better performance than other prey species used in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]