Saissetia miranda (Homoptera: Coccidae), a Potential Pest of Citrus in Texas 1

Abstract

Saissetia miranda (Cockerell & Parrott) was the only species of Saissetia collected in representative samples from South Texas. A small increase in numbers of S. miranda occurred during May but the largest increase took place during the August and October period. This scale insect was observed on oleander, fig, and guava for many years but was not observed on citrus in South Texas until September 1967. Other host plants are given. Saissetia oleae (Bernard) was considered to be the only black scale in the United States until 1969. For this reason, separation characters are provided to distinguish S. miranda, S. neglecta De Lotto, and S. oleac . Common names are proposed for each species. Mesopeltita atrocyanca (Masi) was the most common parasite reared from S. miranda although Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) also became quite abundant during August and September 1970. Clarification of the relationship of 3 Saissetia species and their associated parasites will provide assistance in employing biological control measures in South Texas and in other areas where these scales are problems.