Computerized Synthesis of Information on the Scale Insects of the World

Abstract

Systematic information on all aspects of agriculture is a significant tool in finding solutions to various problems. This project was initiated to develop a searchable database on taxonomy, host plants, geographic distribution, economic importance and control of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea). A systematic database has been developed for 17 families of scale insects, namely, Aclerdidae, Asterolecaniidae, Beesoniidae, Carayonemidae, Cerococcidae, Coccidae, Conchaspididae, Dactylopiidae, Eriococcidae, Halimococcidae, Kerriidae, Lecanodiaspididae, Micrococcidae, Ortheziidae, Phenacoleachiidae, Phoenicococcidae and Pseudococcidae. These databases are now available on the Internet in ScaleNet - A Searchable Information System on Scale Insects - a Systematic Database of the Scale Insects of the World, (URL: http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/scalenet/scalenet.htm ). Since 1997, the year in which ScaleNet was first placed on the Internet, this site became the best worldwide source of information on scale insects. The most reliable evaluation is that the site was 'visited' during 1999 by more than 50,000 users. Messages from the clientele of the site clearly indicate that it is widely used by researchers, applied entomologists, quarantine officers, students as well as the general public.