Abstract
The black mulberry tree (Morus nigra L. Moraceae), a perennial shrub, is one of the most abundant species in the urban afforestation of Brasília, Federal District, Brazil. This work records the first occurrence of Crypticerya brasiliensis (Hempel, 1900) (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) and Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti, 1886) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) infesting M. nigra in the Federal District, Brazil. For this study, 20 specimens of M. nigra trees were inspected during September to October 2019, in two locations of the Federal District, Brazil, and the presence of scale insects were found on the trunks, stems, and leaves. The main damage caused by C. brasiliensis in the sampled trees were dry stems and branches along with yellow leaves, by the insects feeding mainly on the leaf veins. Pseudaulacapis pentagona was observed on the branches and stems of the plant isolated from the second sampling point. Infested branches were dry and leafless, with many scale insects, and some branches displayed small cracks. This is the first time M. nigra has been registered as a host plant of C. brasiliensis, as well as first occurrence of P. pentagona infesting M. nigra in the Federal District, Brazil.
Highlights
The urban afforestation of Brasília, Federal District, Brazil, includes hundreds of trees that range from exotic to native species
Crypticerya brasiliensis was identified using the key from Kondo et al (2016a), and P. pentagona using Ferris (1937), and Claps and Wolff (2003), both based on adult female morphology
Two species of scale insects were found in the evaluated plants, C. brasiliensis and P. pentagona
Summary
The urban afforestation of Brasília, Federal District, Brazil, includes hundreds of trees that range from exotic to native species. Among these species, the black mulberry tree (Morus nigra L., Moraceae) is one of the most abundant and can be found in various parts of the city (Silva Júnior & Lima, 2010). Ornamental beauty, and abundant shade make M. nigra an appreciated perennial shrub (Silva Júnior & Lima, 2010; Okamoto et al, 2013). This work records the first occurrence of Crypticerya brasiliensis (Hempel, 1900) (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) infesting M. nigra trees, as well as the first occurrence of P. pentagona in mulberry in the Federal District, Brazil
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