Hemiberlesia Lataniae Research Articles

Genomic architecture of resistance to latania scale (H. lataniae) in kiwifruit (A. chinensis var. chinensis)

BackgroundLatania scale (Hemiberlesia lataniae Signoret) is an armoured scale insect known to cause damage to kiwifruit plants and fruit, which ultimately reduces crop values and creates post-harvest export and quarantine issues. Resistance to H. lataniae does exist in some commercial cultivars of kiwifruit. However, some of the commercial cultivars bred in New Zealand have not inherited alleles for resistance to H. lataniae carried by their parents. To elucidate the architecture of resistance in the parents and develop molecular markers to assist breeding, these experiments analysed the inheritance of resistance to H. lataniae from families related to commercial cultivars.ResultsThe first experiment identified a 15.97 Mb genomic region of interest for resistance to H. lataniae in rtGBS data of 3.23 to 19.20 Mb on chromosome 10. A larger population was then QTL mapped, which confirmed the region of interest as the sole locus contributing to H. lataniae resistance. inDel markers mapping the region of low recombination under the QTL peak further narrowed the region associated with H. lataniae resistance to a 5.73 Mb region.ConclusionsThe kiwifruit populations and genomic methods used in this study identify the same non-recombinant region of chromosome 10 which confers resistance of A. chinensis var. chinensis to H. lataniae. The markers developed to target the H. lataniae resistance loci will reduce the amount of costly and time-consuming phenotyping required for breeding H. lataniae scale resistance into new kiwifruit cultivars.

Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret, 1869) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Piper species (Piperaceae) in state of Pará, Brazil

We report the occurrence of scale insect Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret, 1869) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in two Piper species (Piperaceae). Hemiberlesia lataniae specimens were collected from leaves and stems of Piper cernuum Vell. and Piper reticulatum L., in a greenhouse, in the city of Belém, state of Pará. The species is reported for the first time within Piper species in Brazil.

Coccoidea (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) Infesting Coconut Infructescence in The Philippines

During a series of field surveys on several coconut-planting provinces in the Philippines, scale insects, including mealybugs, were observed to attack the infructescence and fruits of coconuts, Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae). Three families of Coccomorpha, composed of six species of Diaspididae (armored scale insects), including the serious pest Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne, one species of Pseudococcidae [the mealybugs, Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell)]; and one species of Monophlebidae (giant or cottony cushion scales, Icerya sp.), were noted to attack on coconut infructescences. Two species, Aspidiotus destructor Signoret and Lepidosaphes sp. aff. tapleyi were observed to feed on the fruit directly. Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti) and P. sp. aff. cockerelli (Cooley) were observed to feed on the leaf petiole and infructescence peduncle. Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) and Icerya sp. were found on the calyx, while Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) were found in pedicels and peduncles of the infructescences.

Comportamiento espacial de Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) en aguacate ‘Hass’ en el Estado de México

Introduction: Avocado exports have been affected by the presence of Hemiberlesia lataniae, the main damage is aesthetic and undermines fruit quality. Objective: To determine the spatial distribution of Hemiberlesia lataniae in a ‘Hass’ avocado crop in Estado de Mexico. Methodology: The experiment was developed in three avocado growing areas (Coatepec Harinas, Donato Guerra and Ixtapan del Oro). Sampling was carried out using the quadrat methodology, a total of 400 trees were sampled per zone from August 2019 to July 2020. The trees were divided into three strata (high, medium and low), and a terminal branch from each cardinal point was marked. Each tree was marked and georeferenced with a differential GPS. Results: A total of 24 samples per zone were generated, and all cases had an aggregated spatial behavior of Hemiberlesia lataniae. Semivariograms were fitted to spherical, exponential, and Gaussian models. Limitation of the study: Geostatistics is the only method that provides the exact location of the pest and the sample in density maps. Originality: The present study proposes to implement integrated management strategies to reduce ecological damage, due to indiscriminate use of insecticides, and presence of residues in fruits. Conclusions: The following study allowed us to know the spatial distribution of Hemiberlesia lataniae by means of density maps in three ‘Hass’ avocado producing areas in Estado de Mexico, where an aggregated spatial distribution was observed.

New Zealand Plant Protection Society / Zespri Kiwifruit Scholarship

Production of Actinidia chinensis (kiwifruit) is a billion- dollar industry in New Zealand that is threatened by various pests and diseases. Armoured scale insects, leafroller insects and a disease caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) all cause economic loss to the kiwifruit industry because of the damage they inflict and the market access restrictions imposed if their presence is detected. Examining the available kiwifruit germplasm pool for resistance to the armoured scale insect (Hemiberlesia lataniae) was identified as
 a promising first step towards introgression of resistance into future kiwifruit cultivars. To integrate resistance alleles into current and future breeding programmes efficiently, robust markers linked to resistance genes need to be identified.
 Casey Flay, recipient of the NZPPS/Zespri Kiwifruit Scholarship, is a PhD student at Massey University. In the first year of his PhD, Casey studied H. lataniae scale resistance markers in a small family of A. chinensis var. chinensis from breeding populations at the New Zealand Institute of Plant & Food Research. Markers were identified for this population that were associated with phenotype and were validated in a related population. To test these markers in a diverse background, four families made from a cross of wild-sourced material was phenotyped. All the seedlings resulting from crossing resistant parents with a tolerant parents were resistant to H. lataniae. However, further work is required to backcross resistant progeny with susceptible parents before marker information can be associated with phenotype. Ongoing work includes studying H. lataniae resistance as well as resistance to the brownheaded leafroller (Ctenopseustis obliquana) in a large kiwifruit population which is segregating for resistance to both H. lataniae and C. obliquana. Loci responsible for each type of resistance will be identified and a detailed quantitative trait locus (QTL) map generated. This process will allow markers to be developed to target these QTLs, enabling them to be robust tools for resistance breeding. Casey will also study the effects of Psa on the kiwifruit germplasm collection at Plant & Food Research. Selection mapping will be used to assess alleles that are removed from the germplasm population as a consequence of Psa infection. Results of this work will provide information on the sections of the kiwifruit genome that confer tolerance or susceptibility to Psa, enabling breeders to enhance breeding
 for resistance to Psa.
 Breeding for resistance to biotic threats that are currently targeted by chemical sprays is a reasonable move toward a healthier, cheaper and more environmentally friendly form of food production. This will benefit organic producers and conventional producers alike by reducing market access issues, decreasing the need for pest control, and decreasing the real and perceived risks associated with spray residues, resulting in increased market appeal and economic returns.
 This one-off NZPPS/Zespri Kiwifruit Scholarship was possible thanks to Zespri. It was funded by the proceeds of a symposium on Psa held in Palmerston North in 2016 run jointly by Zespri and the New Zealand Plant Protection Society.

Alecanochiton marquesi (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), a new record for Colombia and Costa Rica, and description of its first-instar nymph

The Marques’ soft scale, Alecanochiton marquesi (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) is recorded from Colombia and Costa Rica on Sapotaceae (Manilkara zapota) and on Melastomataceae (Conostegia xalapensis, Miconia trinervia, and M. schlimii), respectively. Other scale insects collected on M. zapota in the present study include Hemiberlesia lataniae, Howardia biclavis (Diaspididae), Coccus viridis, Saissetia coffeae (Coccidae), and Crypticerya abrahami (Monophlebidae). Crypticerya abrahami was found tended by Azteca sp. ants (Formicidae: Dolichoderinae) and is for the first time recorded on M. zapota. The first-instar nymph of A. marquesi is described and illustrated based on specimens from Colombia. The affinities of Alecanochiton with other Coccidae genera are discussed based on characters of the adult female and first-instar nymph.

Testing the susceptibility of kiwifruit (Actinida chinensis var. deliciosa) germplasm to Hemiberlesia lataniae

ABSTRACTThis study demonstrates resistance in Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa germplasm to the armoured scale insect Hemiberlesia lataniae, an important pest of kiwifruit in New Zealand. A bioassay was used to test the resistance of 120 vines from a germplasm collection in New Zealand. Fourteen of the vines were classified as resistant and five as moderately resistant. Eight crosses (two Susceptible (S) × Resistant (R); 1 R×S; 4 R×R; 1 S×S) were made from the original vines, and the resulting families examined for resistance. There were large differences in insect survival and size between the families. Three families from R×R parents and one from R×S parents had vines showing a hypersensitive-type response (plant cell death) to H. lataniae. There were large differences in the range of susceptibility to H. lataniae within families, suggesting that the trait is polygenic or that more than one resistance mechanism is present in the germplasm.

SURVEY OF SCALE INSECTS AND MEALYBUGS ON MANGO TREES AND ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF INSULASPIS PALLIDULA (GREEN) AT GIZA GOVERNORATE

asurvey of scale insects and mealybugs on mango trees (Mangifera indica L.) was carried out in a private mango orchard at El-Saff, Giza Governorate, during two successive years 2014 and 2015. The infestation of mango trees with scale insects and mealybugs was determined. The results indicated that, the mango trees were infested by 12 species of scale insects and mealybugs belonging to four families: Diaspididae, Coccidae, Monophlebidae and Pseudococcidae. From the twice monthly collection, the white mealybug, Icerya seychellarum (Westwod) was the most dangerous and abundant of the collected species followed by Insulaspis pallidula (Green) then Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) and Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret). The Maskell scale insect, I. pallidula was selected for further ecological studies on four mango cultivars. The selected four mango cultivars are not equally susceptible to I. pallidula infestation. Hendi mango trees cultivar (cv.) were heavily infested and severely damaged, while trees of Fagrikalan cv. are the lowest infestation with I. pallidula. However, the susceptibility levels of mango cultivars to I. pallidula could be arranged in descending order as follows: Hendi >Alphonso-Naser > Dabsha > Fagrikalan. Population of I. pallidula recorded three generations and three activity peaks per year. In the first year of study three peaks of infestation were recorded in 1st-April, mid-July and 1st October, while in the second year 2015, these peaks were recorded during mid-April, mid-August and 1st November. The calculated infestation rates of I. pallidula were high in spring, summer and autumn months, whereas, relatively low rate of infestation were recorded with winter months in both years.

Survey of the Scale Insects and Mealybugs Species and its Associated Natural Enemies on Mango Trees in Different Governorates in Egypt

Studies on survey of scale insects and mealybugs infested mango trees and its associated parasitoids and predators were carried out at five governorates in Egypt during two successive years (2013- 2014 and 2014- 2015). The obtained results provided the occurrence of ten scale insects and mealybugs species found on mango trees. These species were Kilifia acuminata (Signoret), Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead, Pulvinaria psidii (Maskell), Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), Lepidosaphes pallidula (Maskell), Planococcus citri Risso, Icerya seychellarum (Westwood), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) and Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret). Also, We recorded many species of parasitoids were associated with scale insects and mealybugs during two years of study. The parasitoids species were Metaphycus flavus (Haward), Habrolepis aspidioti( Compere & Annecke), Encarsia citrine Craw, Aphytis chrysomphali Mercet and Aphytis lepidosaphes Compere and we recorded several of predators were associated with scale insects and mealybugs, Rodalia cardinalis (Mulsant), Scymnus syriacus (Marseul), Exochomus flavipes (Thunberg) and Hemisarcoptes coccophagus (Meyer).

Local phytochemical response of Musa acuminata × balbisiana Colla cv. ‘Bluggoe’ (ABB) to colonization by Sternorrhyncha

The interaction of two Sternorrhyncha species, the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae, Aphidinae)), vector of the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), and the latania scale (Hemiberlesia lataniae Signoret (Hemiptera: Diaspididae, Diaspidinae)) with Musa acuminata × balbisiana Colla (ABB Group) ‘Bluggoe’ (Musaceae) was investigated by a combination of conventional and spatially resolved analytical techniques, 1H NMR, UHPLC-MS, and matrix-free UV-laser desorption/ionization MS imaging. After infestation, the feeding sites of P. nigronervosa on the pseudostem and the exocarp of banana fruit developed a red tinge, in which tissue-specific accumulations of phenylphenalenones were discovered. Phenylphenalenones were also detected in the black mats of sooty molds growing on the banana aphid exudates and in the dorsal scales of H. lataniae. This suggests that although these secondary metabolites play a role in the reaction of banana plants towards attack by sucking insects, an aphid and an armored scale have established mechanisms to exude these metabolites before they deploy their deleterious effect.

Microarray analysis of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) bark following challenge by the sucking insect Hemiberlesia lataniae (Hemiptera: Diaspididae).

Both commercial and experimental genotypes of kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) exhibit large differences in response to insect pests. An understanding of the vine's physiological response to insect feeding and its genetic basis will be important in assisting the development of varieties with acceptable levels of pest resistance. This experiment describes transcriptome changes observed in the bark of kiwifruit 2 and 7 days after the commencement of feeding by the armored scale insect pest, Hemiberlesia lataniae. Using a cDNA microarray consisting of 17,512 unigenes, we measured transcriptome changes and analyzed these into functional ontology categories using MapMan. Results are available in the GEO database GSE73922 and are described fully in Ref. Hill et al. (2015) [1]. After 7 days, transcripts associated with photosynthesis were down-regulated and secondary metabolism was up-regulated. Differential expression of transcripts associated with stress response was consistent with a defense response involving both effector and herbivore-triggered immunities, with predominant involvement of the salicylic acid phytohormonal pathway. This hypothesis was supported by the results of two laboratory experiments. The methods described here could be further adapted and applied to the study of plant responses to a wide range of sessile sucking pests.

Transcriptome Analysis of Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) Bark in Response to Armoured Scale Insect (Hemiberlesia lataniae) Feeding.

The kiwifruit cultivar Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort16A’ is resistant to the polyphagous armoured scale insect pest Hemiberlesia lataniae (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). A cDNA microarray consisting of 17,512 unigenes selected from over 132,000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) was used to measure the transcriptomic profile of the A. chinensis ‘Hort16A’ canes in response to a controlled infestation of H. lataniae. After 2 days, 272 transcripts were differentially expressed. After 7 days, 5,284 (30%) transcripts were differentially expressed. The transcripts were grouped into 22 major functional categories using MapMan software. After 7 days, transcripts associated with photosynthesis (photosystem II) were significantly down-regulated, while those associated with secondary metabolism were significantly up-regulated. A total of 643 transcripts associated with response to stress were differentially expressed. This included biotic stress-related transcripts orthologous with pathogenesis related proteins, the phenylpropanoid pathway, NBS-LRR (R) genes, and receptor-like kinase–leucine rich repeat signalling proteins. While transcriptional studies are not conclusive in their own right, results were suggestive of a defence response involving both ETI and PTI, with predominance of the SA signalling pathway. Exogenous application of an SA-mimic decreased H. lataniae growth on A. chinensis ‘Hort16A’ plants in two laboratory experiments.

Diaspidídeos e parasitoides associados ao cultivo da videira no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

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.

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.

SURVEY OF SCALE INSECTS, MEALY BUGS AND ASSOCIATED NATURAL ENEMIES ON MULBERRY TREES IN THE NILE DELTA

Sampling of two mulberry tree species namely Morus alba L. and M. nigra L. was conducted from January 2011 to December 2012 to determine the arthropod pests attacking the trees, and their associated natural enemies at Delta region. Two arthropod classes were recorded during the present study (Insecta and Arachnida). Scale insects (Asterolecanium pustulans (Ckll.), Ceroplastes rusci L., Coccus hesperidum L., Saissetia oleae (Bern.), Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targ.-Tozz.), Hemiberlesia lataniae Signoret) and mealy bugs (Icerya aegyptiaca (Dough), Icerya purchasi Maskell, Icerya seychellarum (Westw.), Ferrisia virgata (Ckll.), Planococcus citri (Risso), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green)) were surveyed as major insect pests. The minor ones were accounted for 24 species (including insects and mites). The parasitoids associated with scale insects and mealy bugs were arranged in five families, Aphytis spp., Encarsia citrina (Crawford), Anagyrus kamali Moursi, Metaphycus sp., Allotropa mecrida (Walker), Scutellista caerulea (Fonscolombe) the most occurring. As for predators, 31 insect species and 9 spiders were found associated with the two pest categories. The predatory mites were identified as two species, which regulate the spider mites. Population fluctuations of mulberry mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) were found related to the population fluctuation of Nephus bipunctatus.

Parasitoidism Rate and Life Table Parameters of Aphytis diaspidis (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Latania scale, Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret), has become a major pest of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in Chile and has reached high populations in the fruit because of limited natural control. The objective of this study was to identify the biological parameters of the parasitoid Aphytis diaspidis (Howard) as a control agent of latania scale. Postembryonic development, parasitoidism rate, and life table parameters of the parasitoid and scale were determined under laboratory conditions. Aphytis diaspidis postembryonic development and parasitoidism rate varied significantly when evaluated on distinct latania scale stages with the highest survival (56%) occurring at the third scale stage, it also had the shortest development time between egg and adult (19.14 d) and the highest parasitoidism rate (66%). The intrinsic growth rate (rm) was higher for A. diaspidis (rm = 0.099) than latania scale (rm = 0.068). These laboratory results demonstrated that A. diaspidis is an effective parasitoid for decreasing H. lataniae populations, especially in the third stage.

HOST RANGE AND INCIDENCE OF HABROLEPIS DIASPIDI (HYMENOPTERA : ENCYRTIDEA) AS A PARASITOID OF ARMORED SCALE INSECTS (HEMIPTERA: DIASPIDIDIAE)

The encyrtid parasitoid, Habrolepis diaspidi (Risbec) (Hymenoptera : Encyrtidea) is one of the most effective parasitoid associated with armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididiae). This work dealt with the host insect range and the occurance of the parasitoid, H. diaspidi in different localities during 2010 and 2011 in Egypt. The results indicated that the parasitoid, H. diaspidi was reared from 10 species of armored scale insects. The host armored scale insects were Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), Aonidiella citrina (Coquillett), Aspidiotus nerii Bouche , Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.) , Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morgan), Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret), Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman), Lepidosaphes pallida (Maskell), Mycetaspis personata (Comstock), Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas) (Hemiptera: Diaspididiae). Population abundance studies of H. diaspidi were carried out on aforementioned armored scale insects at eight locations in Egypt, being Behira , Beni Seuf, Cairo, Giza, Ismailia , North Sinai, Qalyubiya and Sharqiya .The highest rate of parasitism attained with H. lataniae showed 56.8 and 77.8 % during the first and second years, respectively . While lowest parasitism rates was 14.9 and 17.5 % during the two years under consideration, respectively. As a general trend H. diaspidi was the effective parasitoid attacking armored scale insects in Egypt.

Natural enemies of the latania scale, Hemiberlesia lataniae (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Egypt

The latania scale, Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is a dangerous pest in different locations in Egypt. During the present work, 17 species of natural enemies were collected from samples of H. latania. These are: Aphytis aonidiae (Mercet), Aphytis chilensis Howard, Aphytis lingnanensis Comepre, Aphytis mytilaspidis (Le Baron) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Chilocorus bipustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Chrysoperlla carnae Steph. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Coccinella undecimpunctata L (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Encarsia aurantii (Howard), Encarsia lounsburyi (Berlese and Paoli) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Exochomus flavipes Thunb. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Habrolepis aspidioti Compere and Annecke (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), Marietta leopardina Motschulsky (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Orius laevigatus Fieb. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), Pharoscymnus various Kirsch., Rodalia cardinals Muls (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Scymnus syriacus Mars. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Syrphus corollae Fabricius (Diptera: Syrphidae). Abundance of the latania scale, H. lataniae natural enemies were evaluated in different locations in Egypt, representing various bioclimatic regions during two successive years 2009-2010. The results indicated that the parasitoid, H.aspidioti the most abundant species associated with H. lataniae infested mango trees in Giza. The maximum rate of parasitism reached 9.1 and 7.3% in October, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The percentage of parasitism ranged from 0.1 to 9.1% in the first year and from 0.3 to 7.3% in the second year. The predator C. carnae was the most abundant species and occurred all over the years under investigation on H. lataniae on olive trees in Alexandria and the maximum number was 25 individuals /60 leaves and 15 twigs in July in the first year and 17 individuals/60 leaves and 15 twigs in June in the second year. Keys for parasitoids and predators associated with the latania scale, H. lataniae are included.

Functional response of the aphelinid parasitoid,Aphytis diaspidis:Effect of host scale species,Diaspidiotus perniciosusandHemiberlesia lataniae

Aphytis diaspidis Howard is an idiobiont parasitoid of the invasive (Diaspidiotus perniciosus Comstock) and usual (Hemiberlesia lataniae Signoret) hosts. The objectives were to study the effect of host scale species on functional response of A. diaspidis and to answer on the question raised whether the killing efficiency of this parasitoid against the invasive host will differ from that of usual host. The parasitoid showed no host species preference with a type II response when offered both hosts at densities of 10–50 insects per patch. The proportion of hosts parasitized exhibited the same characteristic curve for the parasitoid on both hosts: a wave form that appeared to be a composite of a decelerating (type II) response at low host density and an accelerating and a decelerating (type III) response at medium to high densities. I assume that egg limitation, and/or host feeding rather than parasitism may have induced the modified type II response. The number of host parasitized within a 48 h increased with host density with a maximum of 18.3 and 18.6 adults of D. perniciosus and H. lataniae, respectively. However, the proportion of host parasitized significantly decreased with host density. This implies that the wasp seems to be more affective in low host populations. This result has to be considered in rapid population control. Estimated handling times for parasitoid were 0.98 and 1.258 h and attack rates were 0.016 and 0.02 h−1 on H. lataniae and D. perniciosus, respectively. Theoretically, the maximum number of hosts that could be parasitized by a single female within 48 h was 38.16 and 48.97 of D. perniciosus and H. lataniae, respectively. The longer time in handling D. perniciosus by a parasitoid showed that the host has lower quality than the usual host, H. lataniae. The functional response results have to be considered in both mass rearing quality testing and biocontrol programs.

Scale insect fauna (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea) of New Zealand’s pygmy mistletoes (Korthalsella: Viscaceae) with description of three new species: Leucaspis albotecta, L. trilobata (Diaspididae) and Eriococcus korthalsellae (Eriococcidae)

The scale insect fauna recorded on the pigmy mistletoe genus Korthalsella (Viscaceae) and New Zealand’s loranthaceous mistletoes is reviewed. Three new species from New Zealand discovered on Korthalsella species during this study are described: the adult female, 2nd-instar male and female nymphs of two pupillarial species Leucaspis albotecta sp. nov. and Leucaspis trilobata sp. nov. (Diaspididae); and the adult female, 2nd-instar male and female nymphs and 1st-instar nymph of Eriococcus korthalsellae sp. nov. (Eriococcidae). A distribution map is provided for the three new species. We report the first records of adventive (exotic) scale insects on Korthalsella species in New Zealand – Ceroplastes sinensis Del Guercio, Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus, soft brown scale, Saissetia coffeae (Walker), hemispherical scale, S. oleae (Olivier), black scale (Coccidae), and Aspidiotus nerii Bouché, oleander scale, Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret), latania scale, H. rapax (Comstock), greedy scale (Diaspididae), while three native scale insects are also first records: Kalasiris perforata (Maskell) (Coccidae), Eriococcus pallidus Maskell (Eriococcidae) and Paracoccus glaucus (Maskell) (Pseudococcidae). Ten scale insect species are listed for New Zealand’s loranthaceous mistletoes.