Soft Scale Species Research Articles

Diyarbakır ve Elazığ illeri meyve bahçelerindeki Koşnil (Hemiptera:Coccomorpha: Coccidae) türleri

This study was carried out in order to determine the soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) species, their host plants, distribution areas, densities and infestation rates on fruit production areas of Diyarbakır and Elazığ Provinces in 2017-2018. As a result of the study, 7 soft scale species were determined on 12 fruit plants. The most common species and the widest host plant range was Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché, 1844) in the study areas. Sphaerolecanium prunastri (Boyer de Fonscolombe, 1834) and Didesmococcus unifasciatus (Archangelskaya, 1923) were determined to be the most important species in the region. Didesmococcus unifasciatus caused heavy infestation on almond, Prunus dulcis (Mill.) (Rosales: Rosaceae) trees (Scale 4) at rates of 3.1% and 0,9% in Çınar district of Diyarbakır and Sivrice district of Elazığ, respectively. Sphaerolecanium prunastri caused heavy infestation on apricots, Prunus armeniaca L. (Rosales: Rosaceae) at rates of 3.8% and 4.6% in Elazığ's Central and Baskil districts, which have significant apricot production areas.

A new genus and species of soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) on Ficus sp. from Côte d’Ivoire

During a brief visit to the West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, several samples of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) were collected. Amongst these was an undescribed genus and species of soft scale (Coccidae: Coccinae), Bandamacoccus labiosus Hodgson (gen. nov. and sp. nov.). The adult female and second-instar male nymph are described below. A striking feature of both stages is the large size of the labium, which is wider than the clypeolabral shield, whilst the second-instar male also has a prominent inner submarginal band of ventral microducts.

Redescriptions of five of Takahashi’s soft scale species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) with comments on their status and relationships

This paper redescribes and illustrates five currently poorly known species of soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) originally described by Ryoichi Takahashi, namely Coccus lumpurensis Takahashi, Maacoccus scolopiae (Takahashi), Membranaria sacchari (Takahashi), Platylecanium cyperi Takahashi and P. mesuae Takahashi. Lectotypes are designated for C. lumpurensis, P. cyperi and P. mesuae. Two of these species are known only from Taiwan, and three from Malaysia. Their status and relationships are discussed. A key to the species of Maacoccus is included.

Species of the genus Parthenolecanium (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in urban environments in Serbia

Four species of soft scales from the genus Parthenolecanium have been registered in urban areas in Serbia: Parthenolecanium corni, P. fletcheri, P. pomeranicum, and P. rufulum. They all develop one generation annually and overwinter as second-instar nymphs on host twigs. P. corni reproduces by gamogenesis, while the other three species reproduce by parthenogenesis. The species were recorded on the territory of Serbia in 22 locations on 20 host plants, whereby P. corni was identified on 8 new host plants, and P. fletheri on one new host. The intensity of scale attacks and damage symptoms on the infested plants were variable. P. corni, P. fletcheri, and P. rufulum formed numerous colonies on some woody and bushy plants, causing branches of individual plants to dry and decay.

Transmission of Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Viruses and Grapevine Virus A by Vineyard-Sampled Soft Scales (Parthenolecanium corni, Hemiptera: Coccidae).

Grapevine-infecting ampelo- and vitiviruses are transmitted by scale insects belonging to several species, among which is the European fruit lecanium, Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché) (Hemiptera Coccidae). Our objective was to characterize the transmission biology of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaV) and grapevine virus A (GVA) by this soft scale species in order to evaluate its ability to spread these viruses. In transmission experiments with nymphs sampled from different vineyards infected with GLRaV 1, 2, 3 and GVA, P. corni transmitted only GLRaV 1 and GVA to healthy vines. GVA was predominantly transmitted along with GLRaV 1, whereas the latter could be transmitted alone from single or co-infected vines. Vineyard-sampled second instar nymphs were more efficient than first instars at transmitting GLRaV 1, whereas both instars displayed similar transmission rates for GVA. Short virus inoculation access periods and the absence of virus in eggs of females living on infected grapevines fulfilled the criteria of non-circulative semi-persistent transmission mode.

Description of a new ant- and stingless-bee-loving species of Cryptostigma Ferris (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from Ecuador living inside internodes of Cecropia (Urticaceae), with an updated key to the adult females and first-instar nymphs of the genus

A new soft scale species, Cryptostigma cecropiaphilum Kondo & Roubik, sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), is described from specimens collected from inside hollow branches (internodes) of Cecropia ficifolia Warb. ex Snethl and Cecropia sciadophylla Mart. (Urticaceae), in Orellana province, Ecuador. The new species was found in association with three mutualistic hymenopterans: two species of Plebeia Schwarz, subgenus Nanoplebeia Engel (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini), and Azteca sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae). The new species of coccid is described based on the morphology of the adult female and first-instar nymph. Keys to the known adult females and first-instar nymphs of Cryptostigma Ferris are provided.

The genera Coccus and Prococcus (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in China, with two new combinations and descriptions of two new species.

The Chinese soft scale species in the genus Coccus Linnaeus, 1758 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) were studied. Coccus cambodiensis Takahashi and the Malaysian species C. cameronensis Takahashi are considered to be non-congeneric with Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus, 1758, the type species of Coccus, and are transferred to Prococcus Avasthi, 1993, as Prococcus cambodiensis (Takahashi, 1942), comb. n. and Prococcus cameronensis (Takahashi, 1952), comb. n. The generic diagnosis of Prococcus is revised. In the genus Coccus, two new species are described and illustrated based on adult females: Coccus nanningensis Cao Feng, sp. n. from Guangxi, China, on Ficus carica (Moraceae), and Coccus cephalotaxus Cao Feng, sp. n. from Shannxi, China, on Cephalotaxus sinensis (Taxaceae). Identification keys to separate adult females of Prococcus from Coccus, the 14 species of Coccus found in China, and all three species of Prococcus are provided.

New genera, new species and new combinations for some African Coccomorpha (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha).

In the past, various authors have placed many species in genera that are now understood to be restricted to other regions of the world. Thus, in Africa, species of soft scale (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) with this problem are those in Ceronema Maskell, a genus probably restricted to Australia; Ceroplastodes Cockerell, probably restricted to the New World; and Inglisia Maskell, which is restricted to New Zealand. The placement of these species is reviewed here. Four of the known Ceronema species are placed in three new monotypic genera, Neoceronema gen. nov., Illovococcus gen. nov. and Bugandacoccus gen. nov., as Neoceronema africanum (Macfie) comb. nov., N. brachystegiae (Hall) comb. nov., Illovococcus mobilis (Brain) comb. nov. and Bugandacoccus gowdeyi (Newstead) comb. nov.; Ceroplastodes ritchiei Laing and C. zavatarii Bellio are transferred to Drepanococcus Williams Watson, as D. ritchiei (Laing) comb. nov. and D. zavattarii (Bellio), comb. nov., and Inglisia grevilliae Hall, I. pluvialis Hodgson and I. theobromae Newstead are transferred to Cryptinglisia Cockerell as C. grevilliae (Hall) comb. nov., C. pluvialis (Hodgson) comb. nov. and C. theobromae (Newstead) comb. nov. Keys are provided to all Drepanococcus and Cryptinglisia species, and all the African species discussed are illustrated. In addition, another new genus of African Coccidae is described, Testudovestis gen. nov., to take a new species somewhat similar to Eucalymnatus Cockerell: T. africana spec. nov. In addition, a new species of Coccus L.: Coccus moorei, spec. nov., and a new species of mealybug (Heliococcus tinglei spec. nov., Pseudococcidae), are described, both from mainland Africa. The lecanodiaspid Lecanodiaspis zygophylli Hodgson is also recorded from Nigeria for the first time.

Description of a new soft scale insect of the genus Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from India.

A new soft scale species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), Pulvinaria kalyaniensis Talukder Das, sp. n., is described from specimens collected on twigs of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) from Kalyani, West Bengal, India. This new species is similar to P. aligarhensis Avasthi Shafee and P. ixorae Green, but can be distinguished by different character states of dorsal areolations, submarginal tubercles, dorsal tubular ducts, the number of prevulvar setae and the number of loculi in each multilocular pore. An updated identification key to the species of Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti found in India is provided.

First record and new hosts of Coccophagus shillongensis Hayat and Singh, 1989 (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in Serbia

During a study on soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) and their natural enemies in Serbia, the parasitoid Coccophagus shillongensis Hayat and Singh 1989 (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), a new species for Serbia, was recorded. Originates from India, from where it was incidentally introduced to Europe and first recorded for in Greece in 2017. Since then, there are no other data on this parasitoid. During our research in 2016–2018, the species was registered in the area of Belgrade at eight localities. It was eclosed from six species of soft scales, five of which were new hosts. In addition to adult females, it also parasitizes instar nymphs, which was not known until now. The finding of males of this species in Serbia represents the first record outside India.

On some new and old soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae)from Africa, with description of a new Coccus species and introduction ofa new genus.

A new species of soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha; Cocccidae) from South Africa, Coccus giliomeei Łagowska Hodgson sp. n., collected on Gymnosporia buxifolia (L.) Szyszyl, is described and illustrated. Also, Coccus rhodesiensis (Hall) is recorded for the first time from South Africa and is redescribed and illustrated based on the adult females of the type series and fresh South African specimens. An updated key to the species of Coccus and similar species known from Africa is included. Based on this latter study, (i) Marsipococcus proteae (Brain) and M. durbanensis (Brain) are considered not to be congeneric with Marsipococcus marsupialis (Green), the type species of Marsipococcus Cockerell Bueker, and are placed in a new genus Proteacoccus Łagowska Hodgson, gen. n. with Lecanium proteae Brain as the type species; (ii) it is considered that Coccus asiaticus Lindinger is clearly not a junior synonym of Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner) and is accepted as a full species, rev. stat., and (iii) Neoplatylecanium adersi (Newstead) is considered to be non-conspecific with N. cinnamomi Takahashi, the type species of Neoplatylecanium Takahashi, and is transferred to Maacoccus Tao Wong, as Maacoccus adersi (Newstead), comb. n.

A new species of soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) on fig trees in Iran.

The adult female of a soft scale insect species from Iran, Ericerus farsicus Moghaddam Faghih, sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), is described and illustrated. The species is placed in the subfamily Eulecaniinae and belongs to the Ericerus-group, based on possession of numerous stigmatic spines in each spiracular cleft. In addition, the soft scale species Saissetia miranda (Cockerell Parrott) is recorded as new pest on Ficus carica (Moraceae) in Iran.

Review of the family Coccidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in Laos.

The family Coccidae Fallén, 1814 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha), known as soft scale insects, is represented in Laos by 26 species. This includes 15 new country records: Ceroplastes cirripediformis (Comstock, 1881), C. floridensis Comstock, 1881, Coccus capparidis (Green, 1904), C. celatus De Lotto, 1960, C. formicarii (Green, 1896), C. gymnospori (Green, 1908), C. latioperculatum (Green, 1922), Drepanococcus cajani (Maskell, 1891), Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret, 1873), Megapulvinaria maxima (Green, 1904), Paralecanium expansum (Green, 1896), Pulvinaria floccifera (Westwood, 1870), P. psidii Maskell, 1893, Saissetia miranda (Cockerell Parrott in Cockerell, 1899), and S. oleae (Olivier, 1791). An identification key to adult females of all the soft scale species known from Laos is provided, together with diagnoses, photographs and host information. The economic importance of each species is also discussed.

Factors Influencing Insecticide Efficacy against Armored and Soft Scales

Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) are among the most economically important pests of ornamental plants. Soft scales (Coccidae) are phloem-feeding insects that produce large amounts of honeydew. By contrast, armored scales (Diaspididae) feed on the contents of plant cells and produce a waxy test that covers their bodies. We studied two species of armored scales [pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae) and oleander scale (Aspidiotus nerii)] and two species of soft scales [calico scale (Eulecanium cerasorum) and striped pine scale (Toumeyella pini)] to compare efficacy of selected insecticides. In addition, we assessed how the duration of first instar emergence might influence insecticide efficacy. Several reduced-risk insecticides (chlorantraniliprole, pyriproxyfen, spiromesifen, and spirotetramat), horticulture oil, and two broad-spectrum insecticide standards (bifenthrin and dinotefuran) were evaluated. Efficacy of insecticides was consistent within each scale family. Bifenthrin and pyriproxyfen were the only insecticides that killed soft scale insects. By contrast, all insecticides killed armored scales when the crawler stage was the target of application. Armored and soft scales may differ in susceptibility to pesticides because of likely differences in the chemical composition of their integuments and covers. Finally, we found that the effectiveness of a single application of insecticide declined by >15% when the duration of the crawling juvenile period was increased from 1 to 4 weeks. Increases in duration of a scale crawling period decreased the efficacy of a pesticide application.

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.

Efficacy of Horticultural Oil and Insecticidal Soap against Selected Armored and Soft Scales

Insecticidal soap and horticultural oil have the potential to kill individuals within populations of soft-bodied insect pests by suffocation. However, scientific literature is inconsistent about the efficacy of insecticidal soaps and petroleum-based oils against armored scale (Hemiptera: Diaspidae) and soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccidae). We examined the efficacy of horticultural oil and insecticidal soap against armored and soft scales at different developmental life stages. Studies were conducted in the laboratory and field with two species of armored scale [pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae) and oleander scale (Aspidiotus nerii)] and two species of soft scale [calico scale (Eulecanium cerasorium) and striped pine scale (Toumeylla pini)]. All insecticide applications were made at a rate of 2 gal per 100 gal water. Our laboratory results suggested that horticultural oil and insecticidal soap killed both calico scale (73% and 93%, respectively) and oleander scale (67% and 78%, respectively) when insecticides targeted 1-day-old scales. Scale insects built up tolerance to both materials over time after they settled. However, our field data indicated that horticultural oil had high control of settled armored scale [oleander scale (90%) and pine needle scale (83%)], but failed to control settled soft scale [stripe pine scale (5%)]. Insecticidal soap reduced armored scale [oleander scale (54%)]. Neither horticultural oil nor insecticidal soap significantly reduced populations of adult armored or soft scales compared with a control. Overall, horticultural oil killed a greater percentage of armored scales than soft scales, whereas insecticidal soap gave greater control against soft scales. We suggest that differences were driven by chemical properties of both insect integuments and insecticides. The waxy cover of an armored scale might reduce penetration of polar insecticidal soap whereas polar integument of a soft scale might impede infiltration of the lipophilic horticultural oil. Consequently, timing application to crawler stage is important for effective management of armored or soft scale with horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps.

Life History of Parthenolecanium spp. (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Urban Landscapes of the Southeastern United States

This study was conducted to better understand the life history of Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché) and Parthenolecanium quercifex (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), and to develop degree-day models for crawler emergence of the two soft scale species in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Both species were univoltine in the southeastern United States. In South Carolina, eggs hatched from mid-April to early June; second instars began to appear in September and migrated to twigs to overwinter in October; and third instars and adults appeared in mid-March to early April. Each parthenogenetic female produced on average 1,026 ± 52 eggs. Fecundity was positively correlated to the fresh weight, length, width, and height of gravid females. Gross reproductive rate (GRR) was 695.98 ± 79.34 ♀/♀, net reproductive rate (Rº) was 126.36 ± 19.03 ♀/♀, mean generation time (TG) was 52.61 ± 0.05 wk, intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.04 ♀/♀/wk, and finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.04 times per week. Crawlers first occurred across Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia in 2011-2013 when 524-596 Celsius-degree-days (DDC) had been accumulated with the single sine estimation method, or 411-479 DDC with the simple average method, at the base temperature of 12.8 °C and the start date of 1 January. These regional models accurately predicted the date of crawler emergence within 1 wk of the actual emergence in 2014.

Diversity, endemism and origins of scale insects on a tropical oceanic island: Implications for management of an invasive ant

Detailed assessment of scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) faunas on islands may help predict impacts of invasive ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and inform options for their management, including biological control. Mutualism between scale insects and the invasive ant Anoplolepis gracilipes on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, threatens the conservation of the island's endemic land crab fauna, alters rainforest structure and composition, and disrupts ecosystem processes. Diversity and endemism of the scale insect fauna were assessed through broad survey across rainforest, targeted search on endemic plant species, and inspection of ornamental and horticultural plants in settled areas. Emphasis was placed on honeydew-producing species that sustain ant supercolonies and detection of endemic scale insects that could be non-target species in a biological control programme for honeydew-producing scale insects. Origins of the fauna were inferred using scale insect databases and interception records at Ports-of-Entry for the United States and Korea. Twenty-eight scale insect species in seven families are identified for the island. Four honeydew-producing species, the lac scale Tachardina aurantiaca (Kerriidae) and three soft scale species (Coccidae), are abundant in rainforest and tended by ants. No endemic species were found. Compositionally, the scale insect fauna resembles that of many other tropical islands: almost all species are biogeographically widespread, host-plant generalists, and routinely intercepted in human-mediated dispersal pathways. The likely source bioregion is Sundaland where 27 of the 28 species on the island have been recorded and which has been the major pathway for movement of plant material to the island for over a century.

Natural Enemies Associated with Aphids and Coccids from Sikkim, India

A survey was conducted to collect aphids, coccids and their natural enemies from Sikkim, India. Forty one species of aphids, five species of mealybugs, four species of soft scales, three species of armoured scales and a species of orthezid were recorded. Out of these, seventeen species of aphids, a species of soft scale and mealybug each, were reported for the first time from Sikkim. Two species of aphids were recorded for the first time from India. Among natural enemies of aphids and coccids, twelve species of coccinellids and two species of braconids, one species each of Aphelinidae and Pteromalidae were recorded during the survey. Although there were no new distribution records for natural enemies, four new host associations of coccinellid predators are reported through this study. The present study resulted in addition of 17 new species of aphids and a new species of mealybug to the existing collection of Aphididae and Pseudococcidae at NBAIR, Bangalore.

A Third Species of Hemilecanium Newstead (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) from the New World, with Keys to Species in the Genus.

A new species of Hemilecanium Newstead, Hemilecanium guanabana Kondo & Hodgson n. sp., is described and illustrated based on the adult female, adult male and first instar. The specimens were collected in the municipality of Palmira, state of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, on soursop, Annona muricata (Annonaceae). Updated identification keys are provided for the adult females of all 28 species of the genus Hemilecanium, and for known adult males and first instars. An updated list of the 23 species of soft scales (Coccidae) known from soursop worldwide is included.