Coccid Species Research Articles

Natural Enemies of Planococcus vovae (Nasonov) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococidae), the Main Pest of Lawson s Cypress Trees, in Northeast Iran

There is increasing interest in using natural enemies to control pests in urban green spaces, but this is often hampered by a lack of information on enemies of particular pest groups. Here we provide an assessment for the first time of seasonal population of coccid species and its natural enemies on Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray) Parl, 1864. The main coccid pest, Planococcus vovae (Nasonov, 1909), is attacked by parasitoids and predators. According to the gathered data, the peak population of both coccids and their natural enemies was observed in spring. The most common species in natural enemies was, Scymnus syriacus Marseul,1868. Biodiversity indexes of the natural enemies community in the selected stations demonstrated the highest and lowest amounts for both Shanon winner and Margalef index in S3 and S1 before and after for the Simpson index in S1 and S4,5. This study suggests that the natural enemies of coccids on conifer trees may be more complex and diverse than what was observed in the present study.

Spatial Distribution and Seasonal Incidence of coccid Mealybugs (Coccoidea Homoptera) in Jahangirnagar University Campus, Bangladesh

Coccids are amongst the most destructive pests of horticultural, agricultural, household ornamental plants, and wild plants in varying degrees. To evaluate the prevalence of its fauna in Jahangirnagar University Campus (JUC), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, a year-long study was conducted from September 2004 to August 2005, by visual counting in regular fortnightly visits. A total of 99755 insects of 13 coccid species were recorded from 12 study sites. They infested 41.2% plants of 786 individuals under 17 host plant species. Coccid incidence varied greatly according to seasons, plant numbers, and study sites. Significant differences were observed in the mean number of coccid fauna (F = 3.87, df = 12, P < 0.05) in different study sites. The highest infestation was observed by Ferrisia virgata followed by Chloropulvinaria pisdii, Planococcus pacificus, Perissopneumon ferox, Icerya aegyptiaca, Aspidiotus destructor, Crypticerya jacobsoni, Icerya minor, Rastrococcus spinosus, Pseudococcus citriculus, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Cerococcus indicus, and Coccus hesperidum. The total number of plants present in the study sites was positively correlated with the total infested plants (r = 0.451). Highly infested plants attracted more insects than less infested plants (r = 0.813). The coccid population started to increase after the winter season and maintained a steady level up to the end of the rainy season (March to August). All study sites contained insect populations but SS-6, 7, 8, and 10 harbored significantly higher numbers of them. Rain did not make any significant differences (F = 1.445, df = 11, P = 0.168) in the pest infestation. The mean number of coccids at different months was positively correlated with the monthly average temperature (r = 0.390) and relative humidity (r = 0.412). The present findings may help in designing an integrated coccid management system. Bangladesh J. Zool. 50 (1): 67-82, 2022

Видовой состав кокцид (Hemiptera, Coccoidea), обнаруженных на плодах и корнеплодах в Сыктывкаре

Представлена информация о выявлении 13 видов из семейства щитовки (Diaspididae) иодном виде ложнощитовок (Coccidae), обнаруженных при проведении лабораторных энтомологических исследований образцов плодов и корнеплодов, поступивших в г. Сыктывкар в период 2017–2019 гг. Для приведенных видов перечислены экономически значимые растения-хозяева (до рода). Обозначены особо опасные виды, имеющие карантинный статус на территории Российской Федерации.

Coccids distribution and food chains on ornamental cultures in the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens

The entomological inventory survey results of super-family Coccoidea in four Arboretum parks - Upper, Lower, Coastal and Montedor - are presented, the predominate species, the distributional pattern and food chains have been found. Four basic coccid groups have been specified according to the pattern of distribution on plants and the food chains. The coccid species composition in the Arboretum is presented by 19 phytophagan species out of 6 families. In all the parks the representatives of the family Coccidae dominate outman and injuriousness. Two coccid species Parthenolecanium corni Bouché. and Parthenolecanium pomeranicum Kaw. are the new ones for the coccid fauna of the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens. The coccid fauna and its food chains were studied present with the decorative cultivars guided by visual analysis of leaves, tree trunks and boughs. The determined coccids coupled with a part of a forage plant were looked through by means the binocular. The trivial belonging was defined according to N.S. Borhsenius method [1]. The distribution and forage plants occupancy rating was determined by 4 - scorecard scale: 0 ̶ crop pest is not detected; 1 ̶ sporadical plant invasion; 2 ̶ is present often but in small amounts; 3 ̶ mass plants occupancy [4]. The elicited coccid species were divided into polyphagans (P), monophagans (M) and oligophagans (O). As the result of entomological coccid fauna inventory survey in the Arboretum of the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens 19 species, which are of six families, were found. Families Diaspididae and Coccidae are the most numerous. The richest species diversity appears in Lower Arboretum park. According to food chains character 8 monophagans, 1 oligophagan and 10 polyphagans have been found. According to the coccid distribution on plants there are 4 groups: the first group includes coccids, which are inhabitants of evergreen shrubbery; the second one occupies leaves and young off-shoots; the third one settles by colonies on tree trunks, skeletal boughs or by rogue specimens; the fourth coccid group is confined to roots. Two new coccid species - Parthenolecanium pomeranicum Kaw. ̶ on common yew and Parthenolecanium corni Bouché. ̶ on high cranberry in the territory of the Arboretum have been found.

Description of two new species of Cryptinglisia Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) associated with rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) in Colombia.

In this study, two new species of soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) associated with rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) from Colombia, Cryptinglisia corpoica Kondo Montes sp. nov. and Cryptinglisia ica Montes Kondo sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on the adult female. Two other coccid species, namely Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner) and Saissetia coffeae (Walker), are newly recorded on rosemary. An identification key is presented to all species of soft scale that have been reported on Rosmarinus spp. An updated key to soft scale insects of the genus Cryptinglisia Cockerell is provided also.

Species richness and host-plant diversity are positively correlated in Coccidae

The interactions between insect herbivores and their hosts are among the most fundamental biological associations. Although there are many data available on the host associations of scale insects, there have been few attempts to synthesize the available information. Here we examine host associations of Coccidae, the third most species-rich family of scale insects. We compare host-plant data for most species of coccids that were available from online databases, especially ScaleNet, and the literature, with species richness estimates for host-plant families. Similar to most insect groups, coccids showed high host specialization with about 64% of species recorded from only a single plant family. Analysis of the relationship between species richness of host-plant families and the number of species of coccids recorded on these plants showed a significant positive correlation between host-plant species richness per angiosperm plant family and coccid species richness (P < 0.0001). This is expected under a null model in which host use is randomly distributed across families according to plant species richness of the families. However, the presence of several exceptions (Orchidaceae and Asteraceae in particular) warns that host associations in coccids might be more complex than the correlation analysis suggests.

A geographical study on Pseudaulacaspis pentagona and its parasitoids in Hungarian highway margins using pheromone traps and molecular markers

A study has been conducted to monitor geographical spread of the white peach scale Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) (WPS) and its parasitoid populations in 32 stops of the Hungarian highways (M0. M1, M3, M5 and M7) using pheromone traps during 2009 and 2010. In addition to the data collected in the current study, previous data were used to investigate the population trend of this pest from 2007 to 2010. The number of males recorded in traps placed on highways was much lower than in the sites close to urban areas (M0). Our data support results of previous studies which suggest the spreading of white peach scale by vehicles (“transport vector”). The significant decrease in the WPS male catches from 2007 to 2010 might indicate the lowering of the population levels of this pest in the area of the study. Eight hymenopterous parasitoid species were captured in pheromone traps. Coccophagus sp. was the predominate species in pheromone traps of WPS in M7, how-ever they may be associated with another coccid species. The identity of scale males and some parasitoids was proved by molecular markers.

A new parasitoid species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) of a soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Mexico

A new aphelinid species, Mexidalgus veracruzanus sp. nov., was reared from Mesolecanium mayteni (Hempel, 1900) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from the State of Veracruz, Mexico. This coccid species, previously known only from Brazil, is a new record for Mexico and a new host for the aphelinid genus Mexidalgus Myartseva, 2014.

Scale insects (Homoptera, Coccinea) in greenhouses of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden: Host plants, monitoring, and control

A list of the coccid species damaging plants in the collection of the greenhouses of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden, Kola Peninsula, is given. The dynamics of the pests’ presence and number of their hosts since 1957, and effect of pesticides on the pests are shown.

SURVEY OF SCALE INSECTS AND MEALYBUGS INFESTING SOME AVOCADO CULTIVARS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED NATURAL ENEMIES IN EGYPT

The present work was conducted for one year (January - December, 2013) on six avocado cultivars cultivated in new reclaimed lands at Borg El Arab (Alexandria Governorate), El Bostan (Beheira Governorate), El Sadat (Menofiya Governorate) and Sarapium (Ismailiya Governorate). The study was conducted to survey the scale insect and mealybug species and their associated natural enemies as well as the degree of infestation on avocado trees. The obtained results revealed eight species of scale insects and Mealybugs. Two coccid species [Coccus hesperidum L. and Pulvinaria psidii (Mask.)], Four diaspidid species [Hemiberlesia lataniae (Sign.), Aulacaspis tubercularis (Newst)., Aonidiella aurantii (Mask.) and Aspidiotus nerii Bouche] and Two Pseudococcid species [Pseudococcus longispinus (Targ.-Tozz.) and Ferrisia virgata (Ckll.)]. Associated parasitoids were Coccophagus scutellaris on C. hesperidum, Aphytis lepidosaphes, Habrolepis aspidioti and Marietta leopardina on H. lataniae, Encarsia citrina and Habrolepis diaspidi on A. tubercularis and Anagyrus spp. on P. longispinus. Also, associated predators were Rodalia cardinalis on C. hesperidum and two coccinellid predators (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Scymnus syriacus) on P. longispinus. H. lataniae was the most abundant (56.8%) followed by F. virgata (42.5%) , A. tubercularis (39.8%) , P. longispinus (31.7 % ), C. hesperidum (26.6%), P. psidii (15%), A. aurantii (15%) and A. nerii (14.3%). Hass cultivar proved the highest infestation rate in the four localities followed by Boothy and Waldim cultivars. Fuerte, Gwen and Lula cultivars had the lowest infestation rate.

Soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) on grapevines in Australia

AbstractThere is little information on the distribution and pest status of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) in vineyards in Australia despite the potential of this group to spread ampeloviruses and directly damage vines. A survey of coccid species in the main vineyard regions was therefore undertaken. Parthenolecanium persicae (62% of sites), Part. pruinosum (46%) and Coccus hesperidum (8%) were the most common species collected, while Co. longulus, Parasaissetia nigra and Saissetia species were also recorded. Rare male Part. persicae were collected from one location. A 385 base pair fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (CO1) region was sequenced to provide a species‐specific marker for identification applicable across live stages. CO1 detected reasonable levels of sequence variation within some species and high levels of variation between species. The phylogenetic tree based on CO1 was able to discriminate between all species and showed Part. pruinosum from Gumeracha (SA), Part. nigra from West Swan (WA) and Co. longulus to be quite unique. These findings indicate that Part. pruinosum is much more common than previously appreciated and may include multiple species but also highlights the dominant pest status of Part. persicae in Australian vineyards and provides support for the application of CO1 to future molecular studies of Coccidae within Australia.

Three new species in the subfamily Eriopeltinae Šulc from Italy (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Coccidae) with comments on the genus Lecanopsis

Three new coccid species, namely Hadzibejliaspis ferenci Pellizzari n. sp., Lecanopsis sicula Pellizzari n. sp. and L. salvatorei Pellizzari n. sp. are described and illustrated. Identification keys for the genera in the subfamily Eriopeltinae Sulc and to species in the genera Hadzibejliaspis Koteja and Lecanopsis Targioni Tozzetti are provided.

Three new species in the subfamily Eriopeltinae Šulc from Italy (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Coccidae) with comments on the genus <i>Lecanopsis</i>

Three new coccid species, namely Hadzibejliaspis ferenci Pellizzari n. sp., Lecanopsis sicula Pellizzari n. sp. and L. salvatorei Pellizzari n. sp. are described and illustrated. Identification keys for the genera in the subfamily Eriopeltinae Šulc and to species in the genera Hadzibejliaspis Koteja and Lecanopsis Targioni Tozzetti are provided.

Comparative annual analysis of the inspected armored, soft scales and mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) populations on Hedera canariensis in Alexandria , Egypt

A survey of armored, soft scales and mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) infesting the ornamental plant species Hedra canariensis in Montazah garden was carried out in the years of 2005-2007. The results revealed the occurrence of two armored scales: Mycetaspis personata (Comstock) and Aspidiotus nerii Bouche (Hemiptera, Diaspididae),two coccid species named: Pulvinaria psidii Maskell (Hemiptera, Coccidae),and Coccus hesperidum (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) and one pseudococcid species: Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Considering the armored scale group, the highly abundance was recorded during January and February (75 and 83.4 % of grand total count) in the first year and in February (77.8 %) in the second year. The lowest abundance was recorded during July in two successive years. Regarding the population count of soft scale group, it’s clear that the highest rate of these coccids was observed during July and August during the first year while in the second year this rate reached 94.0% during July only. The lowest rate of soft scale recorded during February in two years (16.4 and 22.2 % of total count in respect). The scarcely inspected citrus mealy bug individuals; P. citri was found in low numbers, while disappeared completely during the elapsing springsummer months from April till August or / and September; and early winter month of January or / and January-February in the 1 st or / and 2 nd years, respectively.

Paradoxical molting process in Orthezia urticae and other coccids (Arthroidignatha: Gallinsecta) with notes on systematic position of scale insects

Process of transformation in legs and antennae, which takes place in Orthezia urticae (Linnaeus, 1758) in course of molt from one instar to another, disagrees with modes of life of these instars. Each molt from one actively feeding instar to another (these are two first instars of male and all instars of female) is accompanied with deep degeneration, dedifferentiation, new differentiation and subsequent growth of each appendage; proximal segment of each appendage newly grows in an unusual inverted condition and everts only during ecdysis. Unlike this, quiescent instars of male molt like most other insects, so that molting processes do not cause immobility of their appendages. Examination of some other coccid species allows to assume that this alternation of molt modes is usual for Gallinsecta. Possibly, this character is initial for Gallinsecta and is connected with existence of leg-less feeding instars in non-related representatives. To describe processes which take place at metamorphosis, new terms for preimaginal instars of Pterygota are introduced. New taxa names PSYLLALEYRODA taxon nov. and APHIDOCOCCA taxon nov. are suggested.

The Coccidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of Chile, with descriptions of three new species and transfer of Lecanium resinatum Kieffer & Herbst to the Kerriidae

Three new species of Coccidae: Cryptinglisia chilensis Kondo & Gullan sp. nov., Pulvinaria drimyswinteri Kondo & Gullan sp. nov., and Stictolecanium cranstoni Kondo & Gullan sp. nov., are described and illustrated. An updated species list and a taxonomic key to the 13 coccid species now known to occur in Chile are provided. Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi (Vallot) is newly recorded for Chile. Lecanium resinatum Kieffer & Herbst, currently known as Coccus resinatus (Kieffer & Herbst), is transferred to the family Kerriidae as Tachardiella resinata (Kieffer & Herbst) comb. nov., based on examination of the original German description.

Türkiye'de Coccidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) Familyasının Encyrtid (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) parazitoitleri

Parasitoid Encyrtids of coccids were surveyed in Isparta Province collections of Natural History Museum in London were investigated and literatura data was studied during the years 2001 to 2006. Forty-five encyrtid species belonging to 21 genera were determined to be parasitoids of 28 species of coccids in Turkey. More than 78 species of coccids appear to be hosts of encyrtids listed in present paper. All synonyms recorded previously are given.

Abundance and spatial distribution of aphids and scales select for different life histories in their ladybird beetle predators

Abstract: Life history parameters tend to differ between aphidophagous and coccidophagous ladybird beetles. It seems that the nature of prey, in particular the abundance, number and size of the colonies and their spatial distribution, may have been selected for the evolution of the life histories in these two groups of coccinellids, leading the aphidophagous ladybird beetles to develop at a fast pace and the coccidophagous beetles at a slower pace. To study the abundance, number and size of the colonies and the spatial distribution of aphid and coccid species, 100 sampling plots regularly spaced along four parallel transects were surveyed in the summer of 2004. At each sampling plot, species abundance, and the number and size of colonies of aphid and coccid species were recorded. Iwao's patchiness regression was used to assess the spatial distribution of aphids and coccids. From this study, it was found that coccids are much rarer than aphids but formed more colonies. Whereas aphids display a stonger tendency to crowding, aphid colonies are randomly distributed in space while coccid groups are aggregated. So, it seems that the abundance and spatial distribution of prey distribution may be factors selecting for the evolution of different life histories among aphidophagous and coccidophagous ladybird beetles.

New Mealybug Species Vectoring Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Viruses-1 and -3 (GLRaV-1 and -3)

Many grape viruses, such as filamentous Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses in the Closteroviridae family, are spread primarily through infected propagating material. However, there is increasing evidence that leafroll disease are spread in the field by insect vectors, namely mealybugs and other scale insects. This study was carried out in the northern wine-growing regions of France where Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 and -3 (GLRaV-1 and -3) are the most widespread grape Ampelovirus species. The vineyards were inspected for presence of mealybug and scale insects and grapes infected by GLRaV-1 and -3. Mealybugs, Heliococcus bohemicus, Phenacoccus aceris (Pseudococcidae) and the soft scale insect Parthenolecanium corni (Coccidae), were capable of a transmission efficiency of 14%, 23% and 29% respectively. GLRaV-1 and -3 infections that resulted from virus transmission were confirmed with DAS-ELISA using polyclonal antibodies. This is the first report of GLRaV-1 and -3 transmission by mealybug and coccid species in France, and the first report of the ability of H. bohemicus and Phenacoccus aceris to transmit these viruses to grapevines. The relevance of these findings with regards to maintenance of virus-free grapevine stocks and to control leafroll spread in commercial vineyards is discussed.

Ants (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) Associated with Soft Scale Insects in Turkey: A Preliminary List

Ten ant species were found associated with 12 coccid species on various host plants in Turkey. These are Formica cunicularia Latreille, Camponatus aethiops (Latreille), C. sanctus Forel, Crematogaster ionia Emery, Dolichoderus quadripunctatus (L.), Lasius alineus (Foerster), Plagiolepis vindobonensis Lomnicki, Prenolepis nitens (Mayr), Tapinoma erraticum (Latreille) and Tetramorium ferox Ruzsky, (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). In the study new ant-scale insect association were observed. The coccid species visited by these ants, their host plants and localities are also presented.