Editor: Dug Miller

Systematic Entomol. Lab.

Building 005, Room 137

10300 Baltimore Avenue

Plant Sciences Institute

Beltsville Agric. Res. Ctr.

Beltsville, MD 20705 USA

dmiller@sel.barc.usda.gov
 

 

Volume XXX                                                              December 30, 2006

 


ISSIS-XI

Manuela Branco, Instituto Superior Agronomia, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa (ISA-INIA), Portugal: The XI ISSIS meeting will take place in Oeiras, Portugal, on September 24-27th, 2007. It will be jointly organized and sponsored by ISA-UTL and EAN-INIA. Located near the Atlantic Ocean, about 20 km from Lisbon, Oeiras offers mild and pleasant weather throughout the year. In September you can count on temperatures about 25ºC. During the meeting a field trip is planned to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and there the possibility of a post-meeting excursion (September 28-30th) to Portuguese historical villages and natural parks. At present we have about 40 pre-registrations from many different countries covering a large spectrum of topics, such as genetics, zoogeography, population dynamics, biological control and host-insect interactions. There is still time to submit proposals for contributing presentations. Updated information is available on the web site http://www.isa.utl.pt/dppf/issis. Further information on accommodations, registration fees, instructions for the preparations of abstracts and excursions will be sent in the second circular and updated on the webpage in January 2007."

 

HISTORY OF “THE SCALE”

Because the future of “The Scale” is not clear at this time, I thought it might be of interest to give a brief description of its development over the years.  The first issue came out in February 1973 and was called the “Coccidologist’s Newsletter.”  The front page contained images of the cover of a male soft scale, an adult male soft scale, a lac scale female in cross section, 7 covers or pairs of covers of a diverse array of armored scales including crawler covers, a crawler of an armored scale, a mystery crawler, an adult female of Plotococcus eugeniae, a male mealybug cocoon, a Eucalymnatus soft scale, and an ortheziid (probably Insignorthezia insignis).  I suspect the cover was made by John Davidson.  1973 was the only year that there were 2 issues with number 2 issued in November of 1973; I guess I realized that each edition would take more effort, and there was limited time for such activities.  The sequence of volumes and dates went as follows:  Volume I, February 1973 and November 1973; Volume II December 1974; Volume III ? 1975 (don’t have a copy of this to confirm this date); Volume IV March 1976; Volume V September 1979; Volume VI February 1980; Volume VII June 1981; Volume VIII May 1982; Volume IX ? 1983 (don’t have a copy of this to confirm this date); Volume X December 1984; Volume XI December 1985; Volume XII December 1986; Volume XIII December 1987; Volume XIV June 1989; Volume XV July 1990; Volume XVI September 1991; Volume XVII October 1992; Volume XVIII December 1993; Volume XIX December 1994; Volume XX February 1996; Volume XXI March 1997; Volume XXII March 1998; Volume XXIII March 1999; Volume XXIV March 2000; Volume XXV March 2001; Volume XXVI April 2002; Volume XXVII April 2003; Volume XXVIII December 2004; Volume XXIX December 2005; Volume XXX December 2006.  The years 1977, 1978, 1988, and 1993 were missed.  In 1983 there was an edict from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service Information Office that no “newsletters” were to be issued without their approval.  When I realized that Information Office approval was unlikely I found a loop hole by changing the title to “The Scale.”  It no longer qualified as a newsletter and was continued in a new form.  John Davidson designed the new cover, this time with a balance scale weighing an armored scale on one side and a soft scale on the other.  Interestingly the weight of the two seems equal.  The 1987 volume was mislabeled as XII; it should have been XIII.  The first few volumes were produced with a typewriter; I am not sure when the computer took over.  The first online edition was produced in 1996.  We still mail out hard copies for those who want them, but for those who are able, we ask that they download a copy from the SEL Coccoidea Web Page at  http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Coccoidea/scaleframe.html.

 

NEWS

Evelyna Danzig, Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia. I am now retired, but continue to work as before. I have finished a revision of the genus Heliococcus Sulc of the former USSR. The manuscript contains a key and review of 27 species that is a majority of species of the genus. Helioccocus shows a wide diversity of morphological characters, but the presence of special crateriform ducts and the consistency of other morphological characters suggest that it is a natural group. Description of separate genera for certain species does not seem correct. This revision is a continuation of the monographic work on “Mealybugs of Russia and neighbouring territories”. For the last several years Ilya Gavrilov helped me with this work including the revision of some difficult groups. In 2006 the English translation of the second part of the Phenacoccus revision was published; as usual it was in Entomol. Rev. This year the paper “A new species of Greenisca from Russia” was also published. This summer I lived in the forest near St. Petersburg. I was very surprised by the enormous proliferation of two species of the genus Eriopeltis: E. stammeri Schm. and E. lichtensteinii Sign. For many years I have visited these forests but for the first time I see millions of females. Perhaps it is connected with the unusually warm and dry summer.

 

Ilya Gavrilov, Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia. I have finished the catalogue of chromosome numbers and genetic system of scale insects of the world. It will be published soon in Israel Journal of Entomology. Also, I have published some taxonomic and faunistic papers, mainly on mealybugs. In particular, I have described a new genus Nudicauda Gavrilov, 2006 with type species Ehrhornia nigra Matesova, 1957. The new genus differs from other mealybugs by a combination of characters but primarily in the presence of oral rim tubular ducts with a broad flat ring and in an unusual ovisac that opens over the posterior tergites of the female body. Also, I have finished a review of genus Mirococcopsis Borchsenius, 1948 and I shall send it to press soon.  These and some other revisions will be parts of the monograph “Mealybugs of Russia and neighbouring territories” that Evelyna Danzig and I are preparing.  Beginning this year Evelyna Danzig and I will supervise a postgraduate student Irina Trapeznikova, who will prepare a PhD thesis: “Karyosystematics and reproductive biology of mealybugs.” Irina has already mastered methods of morphological preparation of scale insects and preparation of chromosomes.

 

Michelle Leddel, retired Century High School, Alhambra, California, USA mleddel@earthlink.net.  After 35 years of teaching at the secondary and adult levels, I have left my classroom, however,   my interest in the study of Dactylopius spp.  (cochineal scale insects) continues at a more global level.  The III International Congress on Cochineal and Other Natural Colorants (Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico: November, 2006), provided two new opportunities.  First, I gave a slide presentation on our cochineal scale classroom lessons and community outreach.  Secondly, I met with and sat in on workshops and presentations by growers, artists, weavers and dyers, promoters, scientists, and researchers that are working with the cochineal scale insects.   In this case, their work centered on the 'fine' Dactylopius coccus Costa, where as in southern California and parts of Arizona, I found only the 'wild' species. Earlier in the year I also gave slide presentations to educators at the State Conference of the California Continuation Education Association in Los Angeles, and the Teacher Recognition Day at the California 48th District Agricultural Association in Pomona, California.  Needless to say, teachers see the unique entomological opportunities available in the study of this colorful scale insect.  Participants at three California teachers' agriculture conference/seminars also received our 8-page cochineal mini-book, complete with student lessons and drawings of the insects.  Brief discussions at three cactus and succulent societies meetings/conference in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, further helped to educate cacti hobbyists about the cochineal host plant, Opuntia spp. Interpreters at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, continue to discuss and display the many uses of this scale insect colorant during the 1700 and 1800's. On display at this 'living museum' are examples of cochineal as it was used as a natural pink coloring in liquid medicines; pink powder for wigs; food coloring in multi-colored gelatin recipes and sugar coated almond deserts; and as a colorant for pink book covers, yarns, and fabrics.  The John D. Rockefeller. Jr. Library also has historical resources, used not only by the interpreters, but the general public. Finally, as "The Scale" goes to press, the Internet indicates another book about the Dactylopius, however, I have not found it in the U.S.  Look for "Cochineal Red: Travels Through Ancient Peru," by Hugh Thomas  (published July, 2006) in United Kingdom.

 

Yair Ben-Dov, Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel: On November 2006, we (Yair Ben-Dov and Douglass R. Miller) completed the First Edition of ScaleNet. As of December all 27 families of the Coccoidea, namely Aclerdidae, Asterolecaniidae, Beesoniidae, Carayonemidae, Cerococcidae, Coccidae, Conchaspididae, Dactylopiidae, Diaspididae, Electrococcidae, Eriococcidae, Grimaldiellidae, Halimococcidae, Inkaidae, Jersicoccidae, Kermesidae, Kerriidae, Kukaspididae, Labiococcidae, Lecanodiaspididae, Margarodidae, Micrococcidae, Ortheziidae, Phenacoleachiidae, Phoenicococcidae, Pseudococcidae and Stictococcidae, are on-line in ScaleNet.  This is the appropriate time to thank colleagues for their comments, notes and corrections. We very much appreciate your feedback, as it contributes to the upgrade of ScaleNet, for the benefit of all.The Catalogue of eight scale insect families ( Ben-Dov, Y.  2006.  A systematic catalogue of eight Scale Insect Families (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of the world Aclerdidae, Asterolecaniidae, Beesoniidae, Carayonemidae, Conchaspididae, Dactylopiidae, Kerriidae and Lecanodiaspididae. Elsevier, Amsterdam. 368 pp.) was published in August 2006. The Catalogue is available for purchase from the Publisher; Elsevier Ltd.  Additional information is available at Elsevier’s site:

In 2004 I initiated and placed on the Internet the website Directory of Scale Insect Systematists Directory of Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) Systematists URL: http://www.agri.gov.il/Publications/systematists. Feedback from colleagues and users will be highly appreciated. If you discover that a particular scale insect systematist is not included in the Directory, or you have new information and corrections, please contact me by email    During 2006 I started to re-construct and re-activate the web-site Scale Insect Forum. Hopefully it will be placed on the Internet at a new site in 2007. The new web-site will also include, among various items, a Directory of Coccidologists, i.e. a list of persons who are studying or are interested in any aspect of scale insects studies, such as taxonomy, phylogeny, economic importance, fauna, molecular biology, cytogenetics, life history, biological control, zoogeography, chemical ecology, useful scale insects, and interrelationship with ants. The entry of each person will provide his/her affiliation address, email address, phone and fax numbers and areas of research or interest. I believe that such a list will be very useful and helpful for scale insects students all over the world.  If you are interested in having your name included in the Directory please contact me at .   Please forward information about Scale Insect Forum to any of colleagues, who are involved in Scale Insect Studies.

 

Chris Hodgson, The National Museum of Wales, Wales, UK:  This has been another busy year and most of the projects which were underway at the time of writing last year have now either been completed or are very close to completion: the revision of some Porphyrophora species from the Middle East etc. with Hassan Vahedi should come out in Biological Systematics and Diversity fairly early in the New Year; the “Review of the Margarodidae sensu Morrison (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and some related taxa based on the morphology of the adult males”, co-authored with Imre Foldi, was published in Zootaxa in July; the morphology of all stages of Marchalina hellenica was published in Zootaxa earlier in the year, co-authored with Sophia Gounari; the check list of alian insects on the Galapagos Islands and implications for conservation was published in Conservation Biology and Biodiversity (by C.A. Causton, S.B. Peck, B.J. Sinclair, L. Roque-Abelo, CJH  and B. Landry) in January; and lastly, the paper on the systematic and biology of the eriococcid Calycicoccus merwie (by P.J. Gullan, JH Giliomee, CJH and L.G. Cook) came out in African Entomology. If readers want copies of these papers, please email me at hodgsoncj@cardiff.ac.uk.  The revision of the margarodoid genus Stigmacoccus has been completed (co-authored by Heather Gamper, Amauri Bogo and Gillian Watson) and will hopefully be published in the coming year.  Also completed is a revision of the rhizoecine mealybugs based on adult male morphology – which (I believe) suggests that this could be considered to be a separate family from the Pseudococcidae – but this is not supported by cladistic studies currently being undertaken in Davis (!!) and so I await the outcome of their analysis, based mainly on DNA (but including my data on adult males).  The study of the margarodoid genus Palaeococcus has come to a halt as type specimens of the type species (P. fuscipennis) cannot currently be located.  P. fuscipennis was apparently originally described from deciduous trees, whereas all the material currently available from the Mediterranean is off Pinus species.  If any reader has seen material off a deciduous tree (or can suggest where I might locate specimens) I would be most grateful.  The main emphasis in the New Year will be a redescription of the type species of South American Eriococcidae genera (senior author Dug Miller); completion of my part of the soft scales of Australia (with Penny Gullan); and, hopefully, a start will be made on the immature stages of New Zealand Coccidae (senior author Rosa Henderson).  I also hope to complete a review of the non-margarodoid families based on the morphology of the adult males, which is fairly well advanced; and perhaps to produce a more definitive phylogeny of the Coccoidea based mainly on adult male characters.  A number of other small projects are also underway and some may come to fruition in the coming year.  As before, this comes with my very grateful thanks to The National Museum of Wales for on-going support and facilities.  And I look forward to meeting you all in Portugal next autumn.

 

University of California, Davis, USA

Penny Gullan: The Gullan scale lab had a very productive year in 2006. Demian Kondo (postdoc), Cory Unruh and Nate Hardy (PhD students) have written their own news, which you can be read below. Penny returned from her South African sabbatical in February via short visits to Tasmania and then New Zealand. In Tasmania, she collected a few scales, especially Nothofagus- and eucalypt-feeding ones, and in New Zealand she visited Rosa Henderson at the NZAC. Much of the rest of 2006 was spent teaching, but Penny had a very enjoyable research month in the summer when Lyn Cook from Australia visited for work on several collaborative projects, including on coccids with Demian.  Penny, Lyn and Nate are working on Nothofagus eriococcids, and Penny and Lyn have several other scale projects in various stages of completion.  Doug Williams and Penny published a small paper on Icerya imperatae, which is a new pest of grasses in Palau. Doug has been working hard to complete the drawings and descriptions of all known Protortonia species and Penny has been helping a little. Demian and Penny have been looking at Paratachardina lac insects in order to identify a species that has become a pest in Florida and elsewhere. As usual, this paper has grown and Demian has been kept busy measuring specimens and sequencing lac DNA, in addition to his coccid DNA. Penny's former Masters student, Janie Booth, has completed her dissertation on the phylogeny of Matsucoccus (one small paper is published so far) and will become a mother early in 2007. Bora Kaydan, our good colleague from Turkey, has been here since early August working with Penny on the systematics of Ferrisia mealybugs and learning molecular techniques from Demian, Nate and Cory. There are several new Ferrisia species, and Bora has become an expert at discerning small differences among species and illustrating the adult females. He returns home before Christmas, but we'll see him at ISSIS in 2007. Xie Yingping is planning a short visit to our lab in mid December (currently he is working with Paris Lambdin for a 6-month sabbatical).

Demian Kondo: Although it is a well-deserved retirement, it is sad news to hear that Dug Miller will leave the US Department of Agriculture/Smithsonian. He has been so helpful to my research, and to many others who engage in taxonomic studies of scale insects. Without his help, my studies in the past 10 years would have been impossible to achieve. I take this opportunity to thank him for his great achievements in the field of coccidology and for all his patience and help. Thank you Dug. His retirement will be a great loss in our field of scale insect studies, but I hope he will find time to continue working on scale insects from time to time, perhaps as a hobby or a pastime and continue to guide the next generation of coccidologists. As for myself, I have had and still am having the best days of my life here at UC Davis. Soon after graduating (actually a month before graduating) on April 2003 from Auburn University under the supervision of Mike Williams, I came to the Penny Gullan and Peter Cranston’s lab. Since then I have been able to dedicate full time on the research of my favorite insects and have been able to publish on various scales including part of my dissertation. I have learned a lot from Penny and Peter, not only about taxonomy, but also about dedication and hard work. I thank them for encouraging me to work on a molecular level phylogenetic study of the family Coccidae, my favorite family of scale insects. I thank Mike Williams for introducing me to the soft scale insects. With Lyn Cook we have been working on coccid phylogeny for almost 3 years, and we are starting to produce some results which we hope to publish before my post-doctoral contract expires in September 2007. I have been working on several side projects including revisions of a few genera of coccids and lac insects, and other small projects which have become a hobby to me. This year has been a slow one for me in respect to published papers. Dug keeps telling me to stop writing TPs (pronounced “tee-pees” and meaning short papers; an abbreviation for “toilet paper”), so I have decided to write longer papers this year. I have also been working on a taxonomic revision of the lac insect genus Paratachardina, this has proven to be a real challenge, but one which I’ve been enjoying. My 2 trips to Chile in 2003 and 2006 have resulted in the description of two new interesting genera and species of eriococcids, and I was also able to write a paper on a new coccid genus from Africa which resulted from a trip to Ghana in 2005.

Nate Hardy: I became a doctoral candidate and a published author this year (in a Zootaxa paper with Demian, Lyn, and Penny), describing and illustrating a new felt scale genus and species from Chile. I also had two additional papers accepted, one to the Australian Journal of Entomology, describing a new genus and four new species of felt scale on Eucalyptus, and a second to Systematic Entomology discussing the phylogenetic utility of two new nuclear protein-coding loci for scale insect phylogenetics. I also submitted a short paper describing a new species of Phacelococcus to The Australian Entomologist. As mentioned above I have been working with Penny, Lyn and Rosa Henderson on the Nothofagus felt scale fauna, redefining the genus Madarococcus, using a combination of morphological and molecular data, and describing a number of new Australian species. Chris Hodgson, Nate and Penny are working together on a subfamily level classification of the Pseudococcidae.

Cory Unruh: I have been working hard this year to finish my PhD research on the systematics of iceryine scale insects and expect to graduate in spring 2007.  Penny and I produced a revision of the ground pearl genus Heteromargarodes which should be published in The Entomological Society of Washington in January, 2007. As for my dissertation research, I completed molecular labwork at the beginning of the year and worked with Lyn Cook this summer sorting out the the intricaces of iceryine molecular data. (Many, many thanks, again, to everyone who provided fresh material for this study.) I am currently preparing the results of my phylogenetic study for publication and a new classification of the tribe.  I am also revising the iceryine species of the southwestern U.S. and am working with the USDA to make available an interactive Lucid tool to the species of the Iceryini. Demian Kondo and I are describing a new species of iceryine from Colombia. We were very lucky to secure a loan (with Penny and  Demian's hard work and help from Peter Cranston and Dug Miller) of type material for several Icerya species from the Museu Zoologio de Sao Paolo, Brazil. This material was extremely useful to us in identifying a new pest (Icerya genistae Hempel) from Florida and the Caribbean.

 

Imre Foldi, Museum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris.  I am mainly working on the archaeococcoid genera to provide an illustrated generic revision and an assessment of generic relationships based on a phylogenetic analysis of the morphology of the adult females and immature instars.  In 2006, three works were published, i.e., two new species of the archaeococcid genera Protortonia from Ecuador, described females and males of the unusual genus Stigmacoccus from Brazil, including the female, cyst, and first instar-nymph, and a joint work consisting of 250 pages with Chris Hodgson on the morphology of the adult males of Margarodidae sensu Morrison and related taxa. We published (Foldi & Kozàr) two new mealybug species, Cataenococcus from Brazil and Puto from Venezuela, with data on other species of mealybugs collected on one of my collecting trips in South America.   Several projects are in preparation or at an advanced stage that probably will be published in 2007 or 2008.  The generic revision of the Monophlebidae (44 genera) is progressing well and currently includes four new species belonging to the genera Crypticerya and Icerya.  A taxonomic review of the Afrotropical genus Aspidoproctus has been initiated; the type species of the genus, A. pertinax, and some other adult females, males and first instar-nymphs will be described and illustrated.  This is a fascinating group that includes very large specimens, not only long but very wide and high.  I have already received material from Berlin (except the Lindinger’s species which could not be found in the museum fur naturkunde Humboldt-Universitat), from Pretoria, from London and we have in Paris Vayssière’s material including six of the 20 known species.  Many of the original descriptions are brief and poorly illustrated, therefore, Aspidoproctus species identifications may be confused. In some cases, old, sclerotized females were utilized to describe species with only external macroscopic morphological features, and never included teneral females in slide mounted-specimens. In spite of these difficulties, it appears that one or two new species will be described and a key may well be provided.  A revision of two small archaeococcoid families, the Coelostomidiidae and the Steingeliidae, with descriptions of new species, is also in progress.  In groups other than the archaeococcoids, we are working on the Eriococcidae with Ferenc Kozár, a project on our material from South America.

 

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

Benjamin Normark: The central project in our laboratory continues to be molecular systematics of armored scale insects.  We are always keen to receive specimens of any armored scale insects (ideally in 100% ethanol) and to discuss collaborative projects.  Currently four graduate students in my laboratory are working on scale insect projects.  Matthew Gruwell is completing his dissertation research on endosymbiotic bacteria associated with armored scale insects.  Rodger Gwiazdowski is the first author of a 2006 paper on phylogenetics and phylogeography of beech scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga) and his dissertation will be about the molecular phylogenetics of sexual and parthenogenetic lineages in the Chionaspis pinifoliae complex.  Two first-year graduate students, Jin Wu and Jeremy Andersen, are working on an expanded study of armored scale phylogeny.   I am about to embark on an 8-month sabbatical at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.  I plan to collect lots of Australian armored scales for our phylogenetic studies and to work with Scott O'Neill (who studies bacterial endosymbionts of insects) and with

Lyn Cook.

Matthew Gruwell, University of Massachusetts, graduate student in Entomology

and Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.  I am completing my dissertation research on the endosymbionts of armored scale insects. In the scope of this research we have found the primary endosymbionts of armored scales to be in the Phylum Bacteriodetes and class Flavobacteria.  We have evidence that these endosymbionts have co-speciated with their host insects and follow strict verical transmission from mother to offspring.  We have also found a scattered distribution of Cardinium secondary endosymbionts in the armored scale insects and are working to understand this distribution using phylogenetics.  I plan to finish my Ph.D. program in June of 2006 and am currently looking for post-doctoral work that will allow me to continue investigateing scale insects and endosymbionts.

 

Lyn Cook, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia:  The second half of 2006 has been a fun, interesting and a busy time for me. During June and July I visited Penny Gullan's lab at UCDavis to work on some collaborative projects with Penny, Nate Hardy and Demian Kondo. An added bonus to visiting Penny at that time of year was watching the world cup soccer at a decent time of day and escaping the cold Canberra winter - swapping it for a nice hot Californian summer. In August, I moved from the ANU (Canberra) to the University of Queensland in Brisbane to take up the insect molecular systematics position. My new contact details are: School of Integrative Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia.  email: l.cook@uq.edu.au For all of September and half of October, I went on a collecting trip through tropical eastern Australia with Mike Crisp and David Morris from ANU. The trip was fantastic - visiting very interesting places in rainforest and the monsoon tropics through to the arid zone, and also finding new species (genera?) of gall-inducing eriococcids (sensu lato).

Soo-jung Suh, National Plant Quarantine Service(NPQS), South Korea: I've started the new project, "taxonomic revision of the Korean armored scale insects" and found two new species records. I wish I could add more species to the list of Korean armored scale insects. Greg Hodges and I have written a paper on a new record (Kuwanaspis hikosani (Kuwana)) from South Korea that will be out soon. This species was previously reported in Korea by Paik (1978), according to ScaleNet. This is incorrect because he only provided a key to 4 species of Kuwanaspis, including K. hikosani, but didn’t report it from Korea. I’ve had the opportunity to examine lots of foreign specimens of scale insects taken in quarantine at ports of entry. I'm trying to identify undetermined specimens of mealybugs and armored scales taken in quarantine from New Zealand (on Echeveria), Netherlands (on Crassula), Taiwan (on Cycas) etc.  I am extremely grateful to Drs. Greg Hodges and Sadao Takagi for their help.

Douglas Williams, The Natural History Museum, London, UK: In the past year I have been completing some short papers that I have had in mind for many years, working mainly at home. At present, I am trying to finish a work on Linnaeus including the scale insects he described and listing all the scale insect literature in bibliographical form that Linnaeus cited. I am still unable to make sense of two of his references. I have a few other papers in press including Lichtenstein with Daniele, Pulvinaria urbicola and its synonyms, a paper with Yair on Coccus limonii Murray,  Sternorrhyncha of Ascension Island, a new Conchaspis with Daniele, Asterolecaniidae and Eriococcidae of New Caledonia, two forgotten species of  Coccus described by Westwood with Yair, and papers on Stringaspidiotus and Furcaspis with Dug Miller. I am working on papers on a revision of Protortonia and the Icerya of Australia with Penny.  Unfortunately during the last month or so my eyes have deteriorated to such an extent that I fear I may never be able to illustrate another scale insect. 

 

Michael Kosztarab, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA: Although the curator of  the VaTech dry insect collections, Mr. Eric Day, provided me with the key to the building housing the collection, unfortunately there are no Coccoidea kept, except for displays and teaching. Also, there are no scales in the liquid collection, curated by Dr. J. Reese Voshell. As reported in The Scale earlier, after my retirement, the Coccoidea collections from VaTech were donated to the USDA-ARS-SEL, with my library, also the photographs, and slides on scale workers. - Our VaTech collections benefited from two short visits by the USDA scientist Dr. Oliver Flint last summer.- In May, I attended the meetings of the Hungarian Entomological Society in the building where I taught horticultural entomology in Budapest and met a number of old-time colleagues and friends. - While visiting in S. Slovakia in June, also in Belgium and Hollland in August, I have collected some pest scale insect samples. - I am looking forward to meeting many former students and colleagues at the ESA National Meetings in Indianapolis in December and ISSIS in Portugal next year. Some good family news: both grandsons are biology majors at the University of Virginia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jon Martin, The Natural History Museum, London, UK:  Curates the Sternorrhyncha collections at London's Natural History Museum, and is appealing for scale insect field workers in the Neotropical Region to look out for whitefly nymphs that resemble soft scale insects.  Jon is investigating a group of neotropical whiteflies which have unusually large nymphal stages. The taxonomy is traditionally based upon the last (4th) nymphal stage, termed a "puparium" because a fully winged adult emerges from it. A few adults are present in collections that exceed 8 mm in length, with one even exceeding 1 cm - but all of these are lacking any associated puparia and their taxonomic position is highly uncertain. From field observations (a paper is in press about this matter), Jon thinks that such large adults will have puparia that resemble those shown in the accompanying three photographs. These are atypical for their subfamily, developing individually (rather than in distinct colonies) and having much reduced waxy secretions (others in the group have dense tangles of white filaments, as in the Spiralling and Giant whiteflies). When an adult is close to emergence, a telltale pair of reddish eyespots are usually visible at the anterior end. The ideal is for any such large puparia to be kept in a small container to see if an adult emerges, and to then preserve both adult and associated empty case in alcohol. If, instead, a parasitoid or group of hyperparasites emerge(s) that is also of interest. If puparia are found with no signs of adult emergence, those puparia are still of interest and they can be kept dry on the leaves. Jon expects that the puparia of the really large species will exceed 5mm in length, but that they will be widely scattered. Mating aggregations of large adult whiteflies are also of interest - collected into alcohol. Jon will provide feedback on any material that is discovered, and sends thanks in advance.

 

Rosa Henderson, Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand: The two papers on gall-inducing scale insects of New Zealand finally got into print in June of this year (New Zealand Entomologist 29). Since then I have been delving into the Eriococcidae of New Zealand including some species established here from Australia. Penny Gullan visited my lab one hot day in February to discuss species that feed on Nothofagus and to give me advice on the labia of Eriococcidae. A paper describing a tiny species with quite unusual morphology, that was collected from epiphyte mats 30 m high up native trees, is accepted for publication in the next issue of New Zealand Entomologist. A manuscript describing some interesting genera and species adapted to alpine wet grasslands is ready for submitting. I am ever hopeful that the revision of New Zealand Diaspididae might get underway very soon, especially now that I have figured out how to draw the figures electronically. At the moment (November 2006) our summer weather is slow to arrive and keeps yo-yoing back to cold spells, probably because of the effect of some enormous icebergs floating off our southern coast. These apparently broke off the other side of Antarctica in 2000 and have circled round to catch a current towards us. This must be global warming, but it sure is cool!  

 

Dug Miller and Alessandra Rung, Beltsville, Maryland, USA:  The big news is that the first “edition” of ScaleNet is now available on line.  It has been nearly 12 years since Yair and I received our first grant from the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) in 1995. BARD was an important financial force in making the project happen.  Major players include the Israel team headed by Yair Ben-Dov, the US team headed by Dug Miller, the data base system developed by Gary Gibson and Jennifer Read, the reference system maintained and enhanced by Karen Veilleux, and the query system developed by Jane Laroussi of Carson & Associates.  It has been a lot of hard work and headaches, but from the comments that we hear, it was worth the effort.  In Beltsville there are 2 major thrusts to our research program. Alessandra is working on the development of a molecular diagnostic tool to differentiate Planococcus minor from P. citri.  The COI sequence differences that she has discovered have already been useful to the US quarantine service (APHIS) in sorting out a quarantine problem in California.  We plan to publish our results in the next few months.  Other major projects include finishing Lucid keys for the identification of scale insects intercepted at U. S. ports-of-entry.  To date a family key, mealybug key, and soft scale key are available on line, with a beta version of the “other scales” key currently in draft form (see http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/ScaleKeys/ScaleInsectsHome/ScaleInsectsOthers.html).  APHIS/CPHST plans to issue a CD with all 4 keys. With my impending retirement (January 3, 2007) I am spending considerable time cleaning out the backlog of materials that have accumulated for the past 37 years.  My plan is to continue to work on scale-insect systematics about half time, so the Miller Hotel will still be functional and available for visits to the collection.  I am hopeful that the USDA administration will fill my position in 2007.  Research that currently is in press or near completion includes 2 armored scale papers with Doug Williams, a paper on South American eriococcids with Chris Hodgson, and a ScaleNet-based catalog on the Diaspidinae, Leucaspidinae, and Ulucoccinae. The Miller Hotel had a few visitors this year including Jan and Warnia Giliomee, Benjamin Normark, Rodger Gwiazdowski, Matt Gruwell, Peter Cranston, and Bora Kaydan.

 

RECENT LITERATURE

Compiled by Karen Veilleux

Each year I have had the opportunity to write a short message in this part of  “The Scale” about Karen’s major contribution to keeping us aware of the vast reference information that has been published over the past year.  Each time I have felt that I haven’t given sufficient accolades for all of the energy, effort, and devotion that she has given to this project.  Karen is a special person, who quietly manages one of the most difficult areas in the ScaleNet system, i.e., the reference file.  Through her librarian, computer, and language skills she has added enourmously to the success of ScaleNet for all of our benefit.  Without her I am not sure how it would have been done, but certainly not with the accuracy that we have all come to expect. Unfortunately, Karen has decided to end her valuable input to the ScaleNet system. I guess with my retirement it seemed like a good time to take on new challenges.  I am sure that I speak for the entire coccidology community in wishing her well and giving our hearty thanks for a job well done!!

Results

Abd-Rabou, S. 2005. The effect of augmentative releases of indigenous parasitoid, Anagyrus kamali (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on populations of Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Egypt. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection 38(2): 129-132. Notes: The encyrtid parasitoid Anagyrus kamali (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was mass reared and released at monthly intervals in grape orchards infested with Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) at two locations in Egypt. Approximately 300,000 adult individuals were augmentatively released from August 2001 to August 2002. Increases of the rate of parasitism were from 35 to 76 and from 28 to 68 in Beni-Suef and El-Minya, respectively. These results indicate that A. kamali is an effective parasitoid in controlling M. hirsutus on grapes in Egypt. It is concluded that the releases of parasitoid for control of M. hirsutus were suitable for control. However, it is essential for a successful control programme that this parasitoid should be continually reared and consecutively periodically released so as to attain the maximum benefit of biological control of this pest.

 

Abd-Rabou, S. 2005a. Importation, colonization and establishment of Coccophagus cowperi Gir. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on Saissetia coffeae (Walk.) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Egypt. Journal of Pest Science 78(2): 77-81. Notes: The hemispherical soft scale, Saissetia coffeae (Walker) (Homoptera: Coccidae), is one of the most important pests attacking olive trees in Egypt. During the period 2001-2003, a total of about 300,000 individuals of the parasitoid Coccophagus cowperi Girault (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), obtained from India, was released at 35 sites for the biological control of S. coffeae on olive trees in Egypt. The maximum parasitism rates reached 53 and 62%, while average parasitism rates were 17.2 and 30.8% in the Marsy Mattrouh and El-Arish locations, respectively. These results indicate establishment of this parasitoid on this important economic plant in Egypt.

 

Abd-Rabou, S. 2005b. The holotype deposition of Aphytis sinaii Abd-Rabou (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), an external parasitoid of the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell). Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 15(1/2): 159. Notes: Aphytis sinaii, a newly recorded species from Aonidiella aurantii (infesting Ficus nitida [F. benjamina] in Sinai Peninsula, Egypt), is described for the first time. The depository for the holotype of A. sinaii was designated in the Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

 

Abd-Rabou, S. & Abd-El-Samea, S.A. 2005. New record and host of Encarsia bifasciafacies (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on sugarcane soft scale, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Homoptera: Coccidae), on sugarcane in Egypt. (In English with summary in Arabic.) Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research 83(3): 1213-1215. Notes: In September 2004, sugarcane leaves heavily infested by the sugarcane soft scale, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Homoptera: Coccidae), were collected from Qena (Nag-Hammadi), and then transferred to the laboratory for parasitoid emergence and identification. Encarsia bifasciafacies emerged from soft scale samples. This parasitoid is recorded for the first time attacking its new host, P. tenuivalvata, in Egypt.

 

Abd-Rabou, S. & Hendawy, A.S. 2005. Updating nomination of the parasitoids of pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), in Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research 83(3): 1135-1139. Notes: This study was carried out to update the checklist of parasitoids of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, in Egypt. Eight primary parasitoids and five hyperparasitoids associated with the pest were collected. Four parasitoids and three hyperparasitoids were collected and re-identified. The new list includes primary parasitoids (Allotropa sp., Anagyrus kamali, Clausenia josefi, Gyranusoida indica, Leptomastidea abnormis, Leptomastix algirica, Leptomastix nigrocoxalis, Rhopus nigiriclavus) and hyperparasitoids (Chartocerus subaeneus, Marietta leopardina, Pachyneuron sp., Prochiloneurus aegyptiacus, Prochiloneurus annulatus).

 

Abdel-Moniem, A.S.H., Farag, N.A. & Abbass, M.H. 2005. Vertical distribution of some piercing sucking insects on some roselle varieties in Egypt and the role of amino acids concentration in infestation. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection 38(4): 245-255. Notes: The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover was found to be the only aphid species infesting the tested roselle varieties (Sudani, Masri and White), Hibiscus sabdariffa L. which were cultivated in El-Kanater El-khayria (about 30 km north Cairo) as ex situ old land. The vertical distribution of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.); the leafhopper, Empoasca spp. and the pink hibiscus mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green, as insect pests attacking this crop had been studied. Moreover, certain morphological characters and amino acids concentrations in the three varieties of roselle, were obtained. The obtained results indicated that the experimental insect pests severely attacked leaves of the stem nodes from the 8th to the 11th (counting from the top of the plant), whereas whitefly were more abundant on these nodes. All tested insect species were less abundant on the 4th stem node. This may be due to the extensive existence of gland hairs that excrete some compound, especially phenols, that might prevent the insects from reproducing on the leaves. The opposite was, however, true for M. hirsutus as it did not attack Sudani and Masri varieties but the infestation occurred at the highest level on the White variety.

 

Abdullah, M., Biswas, M.M. & Siddiquee, M.N.A. 2006. Response of some promising sugarcane clones to major insect pests of sugarcane. Indian Sugar 56(3): 23-28. Notes: A field experiment was conducted during 2003-04, in Pabna and Thakurgaon, Bangladesh, to evaluate the response of 6 promising sugarcane clones (I245-99, I262-99, I429-99, I433-99, I446-99 and I486-99) and 2 standard cultivars (Isd 20 and Isd 32) to some major insect pests. Results revealed that early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus) and black beetle (Alissonotum impressicolle) infestation ranged from 0.51 to 3.32% and 0.22 to 15.48%, respectively, among the test clones/cultivars. Top shoot borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis) and stem borer (Chilo tumidicostalis) infestation ranged from 4.55 to 53.58% and 5.25 to 55.21%, respectively, with the highest level of infestation being observed in clone I429-99. Rootstock borer (Emmalocera depressella [Polyocha depressella]) infestation ranged from 6.40% (in Isd 20) to 40.55% (in I245-99). The lowest scale insect (Melanaspis glomerata) and mealy bug (Saccharicoccus sacchari) infestation was observed in the clones I429-99 and I446-99, respectively. White grub (Scarabaeidae) populati on ranged from 0.00 to 3.67 among the test clones/cultivars.

 

Abdullah, M., Rahman, M.A. & Biswas, M.M. 2006. Reaction of some promising sugarcane clones to major insect pests under field condition. Indian Sugar 55(10): 37-42. Notes: A field experiment was conducted to evaluate promising sugarcane clones I 5-98, I 82-98, I 89-98, I 98-98, I 101-98, I 110-98, I 117-98, I 120-98, I 124-98, I 139-98, I 142-98 and the standard cultivar Isd 29 against some major insect pests at Ishurdia and Thakurgaon, Bangladesh, during 2002/03. In Pabna, early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus), black beetle (Alissonotum impressicole [A. impressicolle]), top shoot borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis), stem borer (Chilo tumidicostalis) in stalk, stem borer in internode, rootstock borer (Emmalocera depressella [Polyocha depressella]), scale insect (Melanaspis glomerata), mealy bug (Saccharicoccus sacchari) and white grub incidence was lowest in I 5-98, I 120-98, I 124-98, I 139-98, I 142-98, Isd 29, I 98-98, I 101-98 and Isd 29, respectively. Comparative data on the infestation levels of some major insect pests to promising clones in Thakurgaon during 2002/03 are also tabulated.

 

Aguilera, P.A., Ellena, D.M., Seguel, B.I., Montenegro, B.A., San Martin, A.J. & Torralbo, B.L. 2005. [First records of insects and other phytophagous invertebrates associates with Murta berry ugni Molinae Turcz. (Myrtaceae), in south of Chile.]. (In Spanish.) Idesia 23(1): 7-11. Notes: [Original title: Primeras determinaciones de insectos y otros invertebrados fitofagos asociados a murta Ugni molinae Turcz. (Myrtaceae), en el sur de Chile.] This study provides information about phytophagous invertebrate species that were found feeding on murta, Ugni molinae, a wild plant berry from southern Chile. As far as a two-Year survey maly indicate, 18 insect species, one spider mite, and three terrestial arthropods were recorded. An armored scale Dactylaspis sp., and the murta green-moth, Palaephatus albicerus Davis, are registered for the first time feeding on a host-plant species in Chile.

 

Akkuzu, E., Arslangundogdu, Z. & Selmi, E. 2006. Contribution to the knowledge of scale insects (Homoptera: Coccoidea) of coniferous trees from Turkey. Journal of Biological Sciences 6(3): 591-595. Notes: To date, a total of 31 species of scale insects have been recorded on coniferous trees in Turkey. The scale insect families Margarodidae, Pseudococcidae, Coccidae, Eriococcidae and Diaspididae consist of 3, 3, 6, 1 and 18 species, respectively. Thirteen out of 31 species were found in the European part of Turkey. From the zoogeographical standpoint, 3 are native, 11 are cosmopolitan and 17 are palearctic species.

 

Aleman, J., Martinez, M.A., Milan, O., Masso, E. & Rijo, E. 2005. [Monitoring the quality of growth of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.] Monitoreo de calidad en la cría de Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. (In Spanish.) Fitosanidad 9(1): 71-72. Notes: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri has been introduced to Cuba for the control of Maconellicoccus hirsutus. Studies on the quality of this predator were carried out on several populations. The evidence indicated favourable adaptation to artificial culture conditions during the first generations.

 

Amar, Z., Gottlieb, H., Varshavsky, L. & Iluz, D. 2005. The scarlet dye of the holy land. Bioscience 55(12): 1080-1083. Notes: We present evidence based on chemical analysis that identifies the scarlet dye produced by the scale insect Kermes echinatus as the shani ("red" in Hebrew) used toward the end of the second Holy Temple (AD 70). We know that this dye is produced by a coccoid species of scale. However, it is not yet known which of the coccoid species was used in the Holy Land in ancient times. Our results confirm the presence of the red pigment kermesic acid in K. echinatus extracts. The fact that K. echinatus is found in Israel suggests that the origin of the shani color mentioned in the Bible could have been local and that this dye was not an import from abroad, as most scholars have assumed. Our hypothesis, backed by our long-term observations, is supported by the color quality of kermesic acid, by the relative concentration of the pigment, and by the prevalence of K. echinatus in Israel.

 

Aonidiella citrina. 2005. Bulletin OEPP 35(2): 327-330. Notes: Field identification and important characters are provided.

 

Apenite, I. & Cinitis, R. 2006. Major pests in cranberry plantations in Latvia. (In English with summary in Polish.) Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research 14 (Suppl. 3): 133-136. Notes: [International workshop on pest and weed control in sustainable fruit production, Skierniewice, Poland, 1-3 September 2005.] Major pests in cranberry (cv. Stevens) plantations in Latvia were studied during 2002-05. In the eastern part of Latvia, the cranberry tipworm (Dasineura vaccinii [D. oxycoccana]) was the main cause of yield loss (6.2, 4.4 and 1.75 t/ha in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively). In the western part of Latvia, Orgyia antiqua was the major pest, and its population reached 9-20 larvae/m SUP 2. In a plantation in Talsu, this pest reduced the yield by 8.0 t/ha in 2003 and by 4.0 t/ha in 2004. Other pests observed were Rhopobota naevana, Sparganothis sulfureana, Chionaspis salicis, Lochmaea caprea and Mamestra pisi [Lacanobia pisi].

 

Aversenq, S., Gratraud, C. & Pinatel, C. 2005. [Olive tree pests and beneficials: a summary of three years of monitoring in S.E. France.] Ravageurs et auxiliaires des oliviers: synthese de trois ans d'observations dans le Sud-Est de la France. (In French with summary in English.) Phytoma 586: 32-36. Notes: A study of the entomofauna of French olive groves was conducted for 3 years to enhance integrated pest management after providing details of the main olive pests present in France, i.e. olive fly (Bactrocera oleae), olive moth (Prays oleae), olive scale (Saissetia oleae) and olive psyllid (Euphyllura olivine), and their natural enemies found around the world. The olive scale, psyllid and moth appeared to be well regulated, the former by mass release of the hymenopterous insect Metaphycus lounsburyi in association with its natural enemies, the second by its natural enemies and the third by general predators. The olive fly is more of a problem due to pest infestations and no natural enemies, whether in conventional olive groves with integrated pest management or in organic groves.

 

Bacandritsos, N., Sabatini, A.G., Papanastasiou, I. & Saitanis, C. 2006. Physico-chemical characteristics of Greek FIR honeydew honey from Marchalina hellenica (GEN.) in comparison to other Mediterranean honeydew honeys. (In Italian with summaries in English and Italian.) Italian Journal of Food Science 18(1): 21-31. Notes: The first samples of recently produced fir honeydew honey, obtained from Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) (Homoptera, Coccoidea, Margarodidae), originating from Mount Helmos in Greece were analysed and examined on the basis of physical and chemical parameters including humidity, acidity, sugar profile, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and diastase activity. These data were compared with five other Mediterranean honeydew honeys of different origin obtained from the literature. Analytical data of the Greek fir honey from M. hellenica honeydew complied with the E.U. legal limits. The sensorial analysis indicated that the organoleptic characteristics of this type of honeydew honey were very similar to the Greek fir honey derived from other coccids with respect to colour, taste and smell. The statistical analysis of the physico-chemical parameters of the six honey types revealed two major groups. One group consisted of three Greek honeys and the other included one Spanish and two Italian honeys. It also showed a marked similarity between the two Greek honeys that came from M. hellenica honeydew on either fir or pine trees.

 

Balakina, G.G., Vasiliev, V.G., Karpova, E.V. & Mamatyuk, V.I. 2006. HPLC and molecular spectroscopic investigations of the red dye obtained from an ancient Pazyryk textile. Dyes and Pigments 71(1): 54-60. Notes: The cloth specimens of Pazyryk culture from frozen burials of Altai Mountains (500-200 B.C.) were investigated by molecular spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array and mass selective detection. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of ancient red dyes were conducted. Natural dyes of plant origin - alizarin and purpurin and of insect origin - carminic acid and kermesic acid were determined.

 

Ballal, C.R., Sunil, J., Prashanth, M., Jalali, S.K., Rao, N. S., Ramani, S. & Rabindra, R.J. 2006. Biological suppression of insect pests of sugarcane, rice and pulses in the northeastern region. Technical Bulletin No. 34; v + 43 pp. Notes: This book covers the biological control of insect pests of sugarcane (Chilo tumidicostalis, Chilo infuscatellus, Scirpophaga excerptalis, Melanaspis glomerata, Ceratovacuna lanigera, Odontotermes obesus and Saccharicoccus sacchari), rice (Scirpophaga incertulas and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) and pulses (Helicoverpa armigera, Lampides boeticus, Maruca vitrata, Aphis craccivora, Omiodes indicata, Apion amplum and Monolepta signata) in the northeastern region of India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura), and mass production protocols for potential biological control agents (Corcyra cephalonica, Trichogramma spp., Helicoverpa armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus and entomopathogenic fungi). Future strategies for the intensive biological control of pests in the region are discussed. Information on the life cycle and biology of some of the pests is provided.

 

Barbosa, F.R., Goncalves, M.E. De C., Moreira, W.A., de Alencar, J.A., de Souza, E.A., da Silva, C.S.B., Souza, A. de M. & Miranda, I. Da G. 2005. [Arthropods-pest and predators associated with mango trees at the Vale do São Francisco, northeastern Brazil.] Artropodes-praga e predadores (Arthropoda) associados a cultura da mangueira no Vale do São Francisco, nordeste do Brasil. (In Portuguese with summary in English.) Neotropical Entomology 34(3): 471-474. Notes: In order to identify and evaluate the occurrence of arthropods-pest and predators on mangoes at "Vale do Sao Francisco", northestern Brazil, studies were carried out in eight commercial plantations of the cv. Tommy Atkins, from February 2000 to January 2002. In each area, fruit flies were collected using McPhail and Jackson traps; other pests and predators were evaluated on samples of branches, panicles and fruits. The arthropods-pest occurrence in decreasing order were: Aceria mangiferae (Sayed) (Acari: Eriophyidae) - 87.0 %; Pseudaonidia tribitiformis (Green) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) - 70.1 %; Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera: Tephritidae) - 66.1 %; Erosomyia mangiferae Felt (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) 64.6 %; Pleuroprucha asthenaria Walker (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) - 42.9 %; Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) - 39.3 %; Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) - 33.0 %; Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) - 26.4 %; Oligonychus sp. (Acari: Tetranychidae) - 16.6 %; Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) - 13, 1 %; unidentified mirid - 9.1 %, and aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch; Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe), A. gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae)) - 7.2 %. The predators were: Euseius concordis (Chant) and E. citrifolius (Denmark & Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) - 32.7 %; Cheletogenes ornatus (Canestrini & Fanzago) (Acari: Cheyletidae) - 32.3 %; Rubroseirus sp. (Acari: Cunaxidae) - 17.7 %; unidentified arachnids - 16.6 %, and Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) - 3.7 %.

 

Barratt, B.I.P., Ferguson, C.M., Logan, R.A.S., Barton, D., Bell, N.L., Sarathchandra, S.U. & Townsend, R.J. 2005. Biodiversity of indigenous tussock grassland sites in Otago, Canterbury and the central North Island of New Zealand. I. The macro-invertebrate fauna. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 35(3): 287-301. Notes: This contribution introduces a short series of papers on biodiversity of indigenous tussock grassland at four sites in New Zealand. A survey of invertebrates of tussock grassland sites was carried out in the summer of three successive years, 2001-03. The sites included two in Otago in snow tussock grassland at Deep Stream and Mt Benger, a site at Cass in inland Canterbury, and one at Tukino in the central North Island. Sampling was carried out by taking turf samples from each site, and extracting the invertebrates with heat extractors. The invertebrates were divided into 30 major groups. This quantitative sampling method allowed the densities of invertebrate groups to be calculated. Total macro-invertebrate density for all sites ranged between c. 1600 and 5600 m SUP -2 . Total invertebrate abundance was highest at the central North Island site, but this was very much dominated by Formicidae. Across all sites, Formicidae, Coleoptera, and Pseudococcidae were consistently the most abundant groups represented.

 

Baskaran, R.K. Murali & Suresh, K. 2006. Comparative biology and predatory potential of black beetle, Chilocorus nigrita (Fab.) on three scale insects. Journal of Entomological Research 30(2): 159-164. Notes: Studies on biology of Chilocorus nigrita (Fab.) revealed that total developmental period of C. nigrita was shortest (26.13 days) on Melanaspis glomerata (Green) when compared with Aspidiotus destructor (Sign.) and Hemiberiesia lataniae (Signoret). The fecundity and longevity of C. nigrita were found to be comparatively high with maximum suitability index (2.638) when reared on M. glomerata. Adults of C. nigrita was voracious than grub stage and each adult required 1195.65 +/- 23.01, 1183.33 +/- 52.04, 1095 +/- 67.27 number of M. glomerata, A. destructor and H. lataniae while a total of 244.41 +/- 4.89, 228.73 +/- 6.52 and 219.73 +/- 3.26 number of scale insects were consumed by grub in its all four stages, respectively. Old grubs consumed more scales than the young grubs.

 

Battisti, A. 2005. Overview of entomological research concerning the forest ecosystems of the northern rim of the Mediterranean Sea. Pages 15-22 in Lieutier, F. & Ghaioule, D. (Eds.), Entomological Research in Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems. Versailles, France: INRA Editions.  Notes: An overview of data concerning forest areas in the 16 countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon and Israel) along the northern rim of the Mediterranean Sea is given and indicators of insect damage are provided, whenever available. A database has been prepared by retrieving references from the CAB database for the period 1972-2001, for each main host plant and insect pest. Pines (Pinus) are the most intensively studied trees, particularly because they are vulnerable to two very important pests, the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) and the pine bast scale (Matsucoccus feytaudi). Among the insects that attack broadleaved trees, Lymantria dispar is by far the most often studied. Information taken from general sources and handbooks concerning forest insects in each country is presented and compared. The activities of international research groups and networks focused on Mediterranean forest entomology are summed up. Present research trends in this field are discussed and the objectives of ongoing projects at the European as well as the national level are presented. Finally, suggestions about future work in this field are given.

 

Bavaresco, A., Botton, M., Garcia, M.S. & Nondillo, A. 2005. [Damage and insects on persimmon fruits in orchards of Serra Gaucha.] Danos e insetos em frutos de caquizeiro em pomares da Serra Gaucha. (In Portuguese.) Agropecuaria Catarinense 18(3): 56-59. Notes: Damage by larvae of the noctuid Hypocala andremona and the tortricid Argyrotaenia sphaleropa was observed in 85% of persimmon orchards sampled in Serra Gaucha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during 2001-02. Damage by Thysanoptera, Pseudococcidae and Diaspididae was also observed.

 

Beggs, J.R., Karl, B.J., Wardle, D.A. & Bonner, K.I. 2005. Soluble carbon production by honeydew scale insects in a New Zealand beech forest. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 29(1): 105-115. Notes: We estimated the annual production of honeydew per unit land area of beech (Nothofagus spp.) forest by measuring the amount of honeydew produced in 24 h by scale insects (Ultracoelostoma spp.) (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) every month for 2 years. We used exclosures to prevent animals (notably Vespula wasps) removing honeydew, and we compared the standing crop of honeydew inside permanently closed exclosures with that outside exclosures. Honeydew production and the number of honeydew droplets was highly variable between individual trees, tree type, position on tree, and, exclosure type, and within and between years. The amount of honeydew available outside exclosures was significantly reduced in year two, predominantly by Vespula wasps, even though wasp density was relatively low. Sugar composition also varied between tree type and between years. Up to 5% of the sugar was glucose, with varying proportions of fructose, sucrose and oligosaccharides. The surface area of trees infested with scale insects was estimated using allometric regression relationships between tree diameter and total surface area of tree trunk and branch material. These estimates were combined with measurements of tree diameter in 10-m radius circular plots to give a production estimate of between 3500 and 4500 kg dry weight honeydew ha SUP -1 year SUP -1. Using this data, combined with previously published estimates of carbon uptake, it was estimated that between 6 and 8% of net primary productivity was released as honeydew. Honeydew scale insects provide large amounts of biologically available carbon in the form of soluble sugar. It is a crucial resource for the above-ground system, and probably also for the below-ground system. We conclude that scale insects have the potential to function as keystone species in these forests.

 

Ben-Dov, Y. 2006. Taxonomy of Aonidiella yehudithae sp. nov. Lindingaspis misrae (Laing) comb. nov. with a key to species of Aonidiella Berlese & Leonardi (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae). Zootaxa 1190: 51-57. Notes: Aonidiella yehudithae sp. nov. is described from ivy, Hedera helix collected on the island of Crete, Greece. Aonidiella misrae Laing, 1929 is transferred to Lindingaspis, a lectotype is designated, and the species is shown to be the senior synonym of Lindingaspis fusca McKenzie, 1943. A key is given for the separation of the 32 species currently included in the genus Aonidiella, based on the adult female.

 

Ben-Dov, Y. 2006a. On some records of scale insects from the Kingdom of Jordan (Hem., Coccoidea). Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de France 111(2): 147. Notes: Species recorded from Jordan in 2006 include Aonidiella aurantii, Aspidiotus nerii, Ceroplastes floridensis, C. rusci, Coccus hesperidum, Contigaspis zillae, Epidiaspis gennadii, Eulecanium sp., Lineaspis striata, Nilotaspis halli, Parlatoria blanchardi, P. oleae, P. pergandii, Planococcus citri, P. ficus and Pseudococcus longispinus.

 

Ben-Dov, Y. 2006b. A Systematic Catalogue of Eight Scale Insect Families (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of the World. Amsterdam et al.: Elsevier. i-xix, 1-368. Notes: A subtitle lists families covered: Aclerdidae, Asterolecaniidae, Beesoniidae, Carayonemidae, Conchaspididae, Dactylopiidae, Kerriidae and Lecanodiaspididae.

 

Ben-Dov, Y. & Carvalho, J.P. 2006. New records of scale insects from Guinea-Bissau (Hem., Coccoidea). Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de France 11(3): 325-326. Notes: Newly recorded insects for Guinea-Bissau are Ceroplastes uapacae, C. vinsoinoides, Lepidosaphes gloveri, Pulvinaria jacksoni, Udinia catori and U. pattersoni. Other species identified are Aspidiotus destructor, Coccus hesperidum, Ferrisia virgata, Pinnaspis strachani and Pseudococcus occiduus.

 

Ben-Dov, Y., Gounari, S., Kaydan, M.B. & Hadina, F. 2006. Phenacoccus yerushalmi Ben-Dov newly recorded from Greece and Turkey (Hem., Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae). Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de France 111(1): 42. Notes: This brief note reports the wide distribution of the Jerusalem pine-mealybug in the Mediterranean basin. While most of the records were taken from the Aleppo pine, Pinus halepensis, the new records from Greece and Turkey also represent a new host plant record, namely, Pinus brutia.

 

Ben-Dov, Y. & Williams, D.J. 2006. Mealybug species of the genus Paraputo Laing, with nomenclatural changes in some species hitherto assigned to the genus Cataenococcs Ferris (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae). (In English with summary in French.) Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de France 111(2): 251-256. Notes: 81 mealybug species which have been described in or assigned to Cataenococcus or Paraputo are listed and placed in Paraputo. 14 of these species previously assigned to Cataenococcus are transferred to Paraputo.

 

Bhattacharya, A., Jaiswal, A.K, Kumar, S. & Kumar, M. 2005. Evaluation of cartap hydrochloride for management of Eublemma amabilis (Moore) - A serious lepidopteran predator of lac insect. Journal of Applied Zoological Research 16(1): 93-94. Notes: Cartap hydrohloride (CHC) an insecticide having systemic and contact action has been evaluated for use in lac ecosystem as a substitute for the currently used conventional insecticide endosulfan. Doses CHC viz. 0.05% 0.075% and 0.1%, tested on 2(nd) instar lac larvae reared on Butea monosperma (palas) during rainy season crop in order to evaluate its efficacy against Eublemma amabilis and toxicity to Lac insects. All the tested doses proved safe to Lac insects & enabled effective control of E. amabilis, an insect predator of lac insects.  CHC 0.05% provided results at par with the conventionally used insecticide endosulfan (0.05%) in respect of reduction in population of E. amabilis and consequent increase in Lac crop yield. The insecticide also exhibited safety to lac insect at all the three doses tested.

 

Bhattacharya, A., Jaiswal, A.K. & Kumar, S. 2005a. Effect of treatment of broodlac with a few insecticides on the harboured inimical insects. Journal of Entomological Research. New Delhi 29(3): 223-225. Notes: The effect of different concentrations of ethofenprox, endosulfan, and profenfos on the lac insect predator, Eublemma amabilis Moore and two important parasitoids Aprostocetus purpureus (Cam.) and Tachardiaephagus tachardiae (How.) was evaluated by dipping mode. Profenfos was found to be toxic to lac insect. Population of E. amabilis was suppressed by endosulfan while none of the insecticides were able to suppress the population of the parasitoids A. purpureus and T. tachardiae.

 

Bhattacharya, A., Jaiswal, A.K., Kumar, S. & Kumar, K.K. 2006. Management of lepidopteran insect predators of lac insect through habitat manipulation. Entomon 31(1): 53-56. Notes: Planting of Cassia occidentalis, a medicinal plant, on the periphery of a plot having Flemingia macrophylla bushes harbouring lac insects resulted in significant reduction in the population of the two lepidopteran lac insect predators Eublemma amabilis and Pseudohypatopa pulverea and resulted in significant increase in brood lac yield. The suppression of lac predators may be attributed to higher incidence of Trichogramma chilonis, an egg parasitoid of lepidopteran insects. T. chilonis parasitizes the eggs of white butterfly Catopsilia pyranthe laid on the leaves of C. occidentalis also which favours the build-up of the parasitoid population.

 

Bolu, H., Gencer, L. & Ozgen, I. 2006. Infestation rates and natural enemies of Mercetaspis halli (Green) (Homoptera: Diaspididae) with new records from Turkey. Gazi Entomological Research Society 8(2): 1-5. Notes: The diaspidid Mercetaspis halli is considered as an important pest and is in the domestic quarantine list of Turkey. Field surveys in Turkey during 2002-04 showed that the infestation level by the pest was low in almond orchards. One parasitoid and 16 predators were recorded as natural enemies of M. halli. The parasitoid Thysanus ater is recorded infesting M. halli for the first time in Turkey. Among the predators, Scymnus araraticus (34.26% of the adult), Oenopia conglabata (25.56% of adults) and Adalia fasciatopunctata revelierei (12.62% of adults) were the most common predators of M. halli.

 

Bonnett, G.D. & Hewitt, M.L. 2005. Numbers of pink sugarcane mealy bug, Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), differ within seasons and among regions and stages of the sugarcane crop cycle. Australian Journal of Entomology 44(3): 304-309. Notes: The pink sugarcane mealy bug (PSMB; Saccharicoccus sacchari) is widespread on sugarcane globally. PSMB infest above-ground storage tissue as it develops, feeding on phloem and producing exudate. It is not known, however, whether the level of infestations is the same in different sugar growing regions, or how population size varies year to year within a region. Field surveys of the number of nodes infested were conducted over five seasons in three mill-regions in northern Australia (Macknade, Kalamia and Marian) on plant and ratoon crops. The pattern of infestation was very similar across seasons (only in one year of very low rainfall was the increase in population delayed). In all three regions the proportion of nodes infested was similar but reached the maximum one month later in the Marian region compared with the Kalamia and Macknade regions. The Kalamia region was distinguished by the rapid decline in the number of nodes infested down to a very low level by March. In the Macknade region mealy bugs persisted at higher levels than the other two regions. The PSMB infestation started earlier and was much greater in ratoon crops than plant crops throughout the sampling period. The differences were more pronounced in the Macknade and Marian districts. These observations provide a firm basis from which future strategies to control PSMB can be developed.

 

Booth, J.M. & Gullan, P.J. 2006. Synonymy of three pestiferous Matsucoccus scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Matsucoccidae) based on morphological and molecular evidence. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 108(4): 749-760. Notes: The scale insect genus Matsucoccus Cockerell (Coccoidea: Matsucoccidae) contains several economically important species that cause damage to pine trees, Pinus species, in the United States and elsewhere in the Holarctic Region. Efforts to reconstruct the phylogeny of the group have provided information on synonymized based on newly acquired molecular data and reassessment of morphological data. Matsucoccus resinosae Ben and Godwin, described from the eastern United States, and Matsucoccus thumbergianae Miller and Park, from South Korea, are considered to be new synonyms of Xylococcus (now Matsucoccus) matsumurae Kuwana. The taxonomic confusion surrounding these names is discussed. In addition, we suggest that several other species of Matsucoccus, including M. pini Green, should be investigated as possible synonyms of M. matsumurae.

 

Borer, E.T. 2006. Does adding biological detail increase coexistence in an intraguild predation model?. Ecological Modelling 196(3-4): 447-461. Notes: Understanding coexistence is a central concern for community ecologists. The limited combination of parameter values over which coexistence can occur in most models of competing species suggests that coexistence may not be a general phenomenon, yet observations of communities demonstrate that coexistence of competitors is common. In this paper, I use a well-studied host-parasitoid system, California red scale and its parasitoids, to explore whether intraguild predation (IGP) is a likely coexistence mechanism for these species and to motivate an exploration of how the level of biological detail in theoretical models influences conclusions about the likelihood of coexistence via IGP. Although prior work has shown that parasitoid and host densities in the field follow the patterns predicted by simple IGP theory, in this detailed model parameterized with empirically derived values, coexistence is not predicted. Thus, in spite of the concordance between field observations and simple model predictions, the current model demonstrates that IGP is unlikely to be the sole coexistence mechanism for the parasitoids of California red scale. Furthermore, IGP is an equalizing coexistence mechanism, and these results demonstrate that adding biological detail to this type of mechanism does not substantially increase the predicted coexistence region. This important result adds to the growing literature showing that simple models often can capture the fundamental processes operating in more complex models and may be sufficient to capture underlying ecological patterns. Because models lacking system-specific details are better able to produce general conclusions, the current result suggests that general theory maybe used to gain insights into a diversity of ecological systems.

 

Borges, P.A.V., Cunha, R., Gabriel, R., Frias Martins, A., Silva, L. & Vieira, V. (Eds.) 2005. A list of terrestrial fauna (Mollusca and Arthropoda) and flora (Bryophyta, Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta) from the Azores.  Notes: Distribution in the Azores Island of species of Coccidae, Diaspididae, Eriococcidae, Margarodidae, Ortheziidae, Pseudococcidae.

 

Borges, I., Soares, A.O. & Hemptinne, J.L. 2006. Abundance and spatial distribution of aphids and scales select for different life histories in their ladybird beetle predators. Journal of Applied Entomology 130(6/7): 356-359. Notes: 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 stronger 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.

 

Bortoli, S.A. de, Murata, A.T., Narciso, R.S. & Brito, C.H. de 2005. [Nutritional aspects of Ceraeochrysa cincta Schneider, 1851 (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae), and different preys.] Aspectos nutricionais de Ceraeochrysa cincta Schneider, 1851 (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) em diferentes presas. (In Portuguese with summary in English.) Revista de Agricultura Piracicaba 80(1): 1-11. Notes: The insects of the Chrysopidae family have been considered promising agents of biological control. This work was conducted to determine some nutritional aspects of Ceraeochrysa cincta, using as food larvae and eggs of butterflies: Diatraea saccharalis, Sitotroga cerealella and Anagasta kuehniella [Ephestia kuehniella]. The parameters analysed were: consumption, growth tax and predation tests with scale: Selenaspidus sp., Coccus sp. and Orthezia sp. Based on the results, it can be concluded that: (1) the differentiated larval feed does not show significant differences in the periods of preoviposition, oviposition, postoviposition and fertility; (2) the measures of cephalic capsule indicate that the differentiated feed does not show interference in the growth tax by larvae; (3) all the diets are efficient for Ceraeochrysa cincta larval development; and (4) C. cincta has potential as a controlling agent of Selenaspidus sp. and Coccus sp. but is inefficient against Orthezia sp.

 

Bounfour, M., Jebbour, F. & Wadjinny, J. 2005. Biological traits of invasive insect species harmful to Moroccan agriculture. Pages 95-100 in Alford, D.V. & Backhaus, G.F. (Eds.), Plant Protection and Plant Health in Europe: Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species, held at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, 9-11 June 200 Alton, UK: British Crop Protection Council.  Notes: [Symposium Proceedings NO. 81.] For all important crops in Morocco, key pests are always introduced species, i.e. Aonidiella aurantii, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Bemisia tabaci, Frankliniella occidentalis, Liriomyza bryoniae, L. trifolii, Panonychus citri, Parlatoria blanchardii, Phyllocnistis citrella and Pterochloroides persicae among others. The biological traits (dispersal, mode of reproduction, immature stages and generation time, and temperature and development) of such pests were observed to study principles underlying the success of their entry, establishment and spread. It appears that immature development for all species of interest occurs over a wide range of temperatures. Such species also have short generation times, which result in overlapping generations. Although such pests are reported as polyphagous, they show some specialization in a Moroccan context. Natural enemies and temperature are the most important factors in the regulation of population densities and in the limitation of the spread of introduced species.

 

Boyero, J.R., Ruiz-Lopez, R., Rodriguez, N., Vela, J.M., Moreno, R. & Pascual, F. 2006. Varietal influence of citrus orange on armored scale fecundity (Homoptera: Diaspididae). Bulletin OILB/SROP (Sect. Reg. Ouest Palearctique) 29(3): 249. Notes: [International Conference on Integrated Control in Citrus Fruit Crops. Proceedings of the meeting of the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants, West Palearctic Regional Section (IOBC/WPRS) Working Group, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 September 2005.] Results are presented of a study that investigated the fecundity of diaspidid species, i.e. Cornuaspis beckii [Lepidosaphes beckii] and Parlatoria pergandii, in two orange orchards in Spain planted with two different cultivars, i.e. one of Navel Lanelate and another of Valencia Late. Three models for predicting egg numbers are described: one is based on the estimation of the Weibull density function, the other two are based in regression and autoregressive models.

 

Branco, M., Franco, J.C., Dunkelblum, E., Assael, F., Protasov, A. & Ofer, D. & Mendel, Z. 2006. A common mode of attraction of larvae and adults of insect predators to the sex pheromone of their prey (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research 96(2): 179-185. Notes: The attraction of several adult predators, genera Elatophilus, Hemerobius and Sympherobius, to the sex pheromones of pine bast scales, Matsucoccus Cockerell, has already been demonstrated. Here, the hypothesis that the larvae of these predators are similarly attracted to the host prey sex pheromone is tested. The response of predators was tested in field trials using pine tree arenas baited with the sex pheromones of M. josephi Bodenheimer et al.; Harpaz, M. feytaudi Ducasse and M. matsumurae Kuwana. Experiments were conducted in Israel in stands of Pinus halepensis infested by M. josephi and in Portugal in stands of P. pinaster infested by M. feytaudi, respectively. The selectivity of larvae for the three sex pheromones was tested in Petri dish arenas in the laboratory. In the field, the larval stages exhibited similar modes of attraction to those of the conspecific adults: Elatophilus hebraicus Pericart in Aleppo pine forest, E. crassicornis Reuter and Hemerobius stigma Stephens in the maritime pine forests. Laboratory choice tests confirmed the kairomonal selectivity of larvae. Both forest and laboratory tests demonstrated the response of a coccinellid of the genus Rhyzobius to the sex pheromones of M. feytaudi and M. matsumurae. A unique chemical communication system among several taxa of predators of Matsucoccus spp. was highlighted that may be attributed to their coevolution on a geological time scale.

 

Branco, M., Lettere, M., Franco, J.C., Binazzi, A. & Jactel, H. 2006. Kairomonal response of predators to three pine bast scale sex pheromones. Journal of Chemical Ecology 32(7): 1577-1586. Notes: The kairomonal activity of the sex pheromones of three pine bast scales, Matsucoccus feytaudi, M. josephi, and M. matsumurae, as well as a new analogue of the M. feytaudi sex pheromone, were investigated in pine forests of France, Portugal, and Italy. The response of the maritime pine bast scale predators, Elatophilus spp. and Hemerobius stigma, was used to test the influence of trapping methods, kairomone composition, and dose. Both predators showed significant attraction to all compounds except to the sex pheromone of M. josephi. Significant increase in captures was observed as a function of dose, and within the studied dose range, up to 2200 microg, no threshold saturation limits were observed for any of the attractive compounds. Trap design and size did not significantly influence predator captures, except for high population levels of Elatophilus crassicornis, when plate traps were more efficient than delta traps. Geographic variations were found in the kairomonal responses patterns of both predators, with the M. matsumurae sex pheromone being more attractive to the oriental populations from Corsica and Italy, whereas the western populations in Aquitaine and Portugal were more attracted to the M. feytaudi sex pheromone.

 

Brozek, J. 2006. Internal structures of the mouthparts of Coccinea (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha). Polskie Pismo Entomologiczne 75(2): 255-265. Notes: Internal structures of the mouthparts of Coccinea were examined on the basis of cross-section across the third segment of rostrum. The research was conducted on representatives of 7 families: Orthezia urticae (Ortheziidae), Icerya purchasi (Monophlebidae), Kermes quercus (Kermesidae), Greenisca brachypodii (Eriococcidae), Pollinia pollini (Cerococcidae), Trionymus newsteadi (Pseudococcidae) and Saissetia hemisphaerica [S. coffeae] (Coccidae). The general model of the internal structures of the mouthparts is closely similar in various Coccinea families. In the studied groups of scale insect, there is one model of the inner structure of the mouthparts. Three locks connect the maxillae: dorsal, middle and ventral. The locks consist of various processes. Small differences in the shape of the processes in the middle lock have been observed. The mandibles are not mirror images of each other. In phylogenetic studies, the character of interlocking apparatus and other internal and external structures of the mouthparts in scale insects can be utilized in the identification of higher categories for all the Hemiptera.

 

Buhl, P.N. 2005. A new species of Allotropa, a parasitoid of Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera) in banana on the Canary Islands (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae). Entomologiske Meddelelser 73(1): 67-69. Notes: A species new to science, Allotropa musae sp. non. emerged from Dysmicoccus grasii (Leonardo) in banana, is described and figured (male as well as female). The most important character for separating it from related species is the unusual long hairs of the male antennae.

 

Cassino, P.C.R. & Rodrigues, W.C. 2005. [Distribution of phytophagous insects (Hemiptera: Stemorrhyncha) in citrus orchards located in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.] Distribuiçao de insetos fitofagos (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) em plantas citricas no estado do Rio de Janeiro. (In Portuguese with summary in English.) Neotropical Entomology 34(6): 1017-1021. Notes: The phytosanitary problems leading to lower citrus production in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) are due to the insufficient knowledge on insect species affecting citrus orchards. The objective of this research was to study the geographical distribution of phytophagous insect species associated with citrus production, in 17 municipalities of Rio de Janeiro, from January 2000 to June 2001. The municipalities were located in 4 regions: Baixada Fluminense (the lowland region), Regiao Serrana (the mountain region), Regiao das Baixadas Litoradneas (the citrus-producing marshland region) and Regiao Noroeste (the Northern region). Samples were collected from one orchard in each municipality by means of the presence or absence methodology. Eleven species were found in 3 municipalities and 6 species were found in 3 others. The species Aleurothrixus floccosus and Selenaspidus articulatus were found in 16 municipalities. Lepidosaphes beckii and Toxoptera citricida were found in only 7 and 10 municipalities, respectively.

 

Castellar, M.R, Obon J.M. & Fernandez-Lopez, J.A. 2006. The isolation and properties of a concentrated red-purple betacyanin food colourant from Opuntia stricta fruits. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 86(1): 122-128. Notes: A red-purple food colourant from Opuntia stricta fruits was obtained and studied. Four steps were involved in its isolation: washing, extraction, centrifugation and concentration. Ethanol:water 60:40 (v/v) was selected as the optimum extraction solvent to reduce the viscosity caused by the presence of mucilage and pectins. The resulting 40-fold concentrated extract had a high colour strength (3.9, OD 535nm, 1% v/v sol), a high betanin concentration (4.7 g L SUP - SUP 1) and low viscosity (59.0 cP). It also showed high stability (t SUB 1 SUB / SUB 2 = 236.6d, 4 Degree C) mainly due to its low pH (3.4) and low water content (571 g kg SUP - SUP 1). These characteristics were in the same range as shown by three commercially available liquid concentrated colourants studied (red beet, red carrot and red grape skin). The colour parameters of this concentrated extract of Opuntia stricta were compared with those of commercial red colourants (red beet, red carrot, red grape skin, cochineal, elderberry, hibiscus and red cabbage). CIELAB values of Opuntia stricta (1.5 mL L SUP - SUP 1 ) were L* = 69.8, a* = 59.7 and b* = -23.5. Opuntia stricta presented a vivid red-purple colour which was distinguishable from the colours shown by the other natural red food colourants.

 

Causton, C.E., Peck, S.B., Sinclair, B.J., Roque-Albelo, L., Hodgson, C.J. & Landry, B. 2006. Alien insects: threats and implications for conservation of Galápagos Islands. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 99(1): 121-143. Notes: Alien species are the principal threat to the conservation of the Galápagos Islands, but little is known about the status of nonindigenous Galápagos insects and their effects on the biota. Currently, 463 alien insect species have probably been introduced to the Galápagos, an increase of 186 unintentional species introductions since an inventory in 1998. Alien insects now constitute 23% of the total insect fauna. Six species are known to be invasive and a threat to the biota: two species of fire ant and two wasps, a scale insect, and an ectoparasitic dipteran. The ecological impacts of the remaining species are unknown, making the prioritization of action for conservation management difficult. Thus, a newly developed and simple scoring system is presented to predict their potential invasiveness based on trophic functional role, distribution in Galápagos, and history of invasiveness elsewhere. An additional 52 species are predicted to be highly invasive. The endemic flora is most at risk because the largest proportion (42%) of the introduced species is herbivores. Plant populations are threatened principally by vectors of plant disease and by phloem and leaf feeders. Introduced predators and parasitoids (17%) may either be affecting, or have the potential to affect, the status of terrestrial invertebrate populations. At least 10% of the species are considered to be negligible thre01.ats to Galápagos ecosystems.

 

Cebeci, H. & Arslangundogdu, Z. 2006(2004). The Pseudococcidae species of Turkey. Yayin Komisyonuna Sunuldugu Tarih 29(12): 135-150. Notes: A great number of specific data [Bodenheimer(1953), Düzgünes (1982), Kaydan et al. (2001 - 2004)] were given about Pseudococcidae species. There are many Pseudococcidae species distributed in Turkey and many of them cause damage on herbaceous plants. The scientific names, synonyms, distributions and host plants of 50 Pseudococcidae species which are recorded in Turkey up to date are brought together the first time by this study.

Henderson, R.C. 2006. Four new species and a new monotypic genus Hoheriococcus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) associated with plant galls in New Zealand. New Zealand Entomologist 29: 37-57. Notes: Four new species and a new genus of felt scale insects (Eriococcidae) are described for New Zealand: Hoheriococcus fionae gen. et sp. nov. on Hoheriaspp.; Eriococcus aconeae sp. nov. on Pittosporum eugenioides; Eriococcus parsonsiae sp. nov. on Parsonsia spp.; Stegococcus flagellatus sp. nov. on Olearia bullata and O. divaricata. Eriococcus elytranthae Hoy is redescribed. Hoheriococcus fionae has the first recorded sexually dimorphic galls in New Zealand.

 

Chen, Y.G., Chen, X.M., Li, K., Shi, L. & Chen, Z.Y. 2005. [A study on population dynamics of lac insect and it's lac secreting.]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Journal of Northeast Forestry University 20(1): 170-174.

 

Chen, S.W., Chen, R.M. & Yin, T.W. 2006. [Influence of gradient constant temperatures on the experimental population of Crisicoccus pini.]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Zhongguo Senlin Bingchong 25(3): 13-16.

 

Chong, J.H., Oetting, R.D. 2006a. Specificity of Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope and Leptomastix dactylopii for six mealybug species. BioControl DOI 10.1007/s10526-006-9025-5. Notes: In order to understand better non-target effect and potential uses, the host specificity of two parasitoid species (Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope Noyes & Menezes and Leptomastix dactylopii Howard) (both Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) for six mealybug species [Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, Phenacoccus solani Ferris, Planococcus citri (Risso), Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret)] (all Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was studied through behavioral observations and laboratory rearing. The selected mealybug species represent major subfamilies and tribes of Pseudococcidae. Except for F. virgata, all mealybug species induced examinations by Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope and L. dactylopii. Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope was specific to P. madeirensis, which was the only mealybug species selected for oviposition and suitable for complete development of the parasitoid. No encapsulation of Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope in P. madeirensis was observed. Leptomastix dactylopii accepted multiple species for oviposition, with the ranking of species preference as P. citri > P. viburni > P. longispinus > P. solani > P. madeirensis. Only P. citri, P. longispinus and P. viburni supported the development of L. dactylopii. Parasitoids developing in P. longispinus and P. viburni suffered from high encapsulation rates, while no encapsulation was observed when developing in P. citri. The results of this study suggest that Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope is highly host specific. Leptomastix dactylopii, on the other hand, has a wider host range. The use of Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope in a mealybug biological control program is limited to P. madeirensis and L. dactylopii to P. citri. The results presented in this study also lead us to question the accuracy of the reported host range of L. dactylopii, which include all six mealybug species tested.

 

Chong, J.H. & Oetting, R.D. 2006. Host stage selection of the mealybug parasitoid Anagyrus spec. nov near sinope. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 121: 39-50. Notes: The mealybug parasitoid Anagyrus sp. nov. near Sinope (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is an undescribed parasitoid of the Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). We investigated the preference of Anagyrus sp. nov. near sinope for six developmental stadia (first- and second-instar nymphs, third-instar immature females, third or fourth instar immature males, pre-reproductive adult females, and ovipositing adult females) of P. madeirensis and the fitness consequences of the host stage selection behavior. In the no-choice test, Anagyrus sp. nov near sinope parasitized and completed development in all host stadia except third-instar immature males. When all host stadia were offered simultaneously, the parasitoids preferred third-instar immature and pre-reproductive adult females. Dissection of the stung mealybugs revealed that the clutch size (number of eggs per host) was approximately four and three in the third-instar and pre-reproductive females, respectively, and one egg per first-instar nymph. Parasitoids emerged from P. madeirensis parasitized at third-instar or pre-reproductive adult female completed development in the shortest duration, achieved a higher progeny survival rate, larger brood and body size, and the lowest proportion of males. We showed that the continued development of mealybugs had significant influence on the fitness of the parasitoids. Although deposited as eggs in first- or second-instar nymphs, parasitoids emerged from mummies that had attained third-instar or adult development achieved similar progeny survival rate, brood size, body size, and sex ratio as those parasitoids deposited and developed in third-instar or adult mealybugs. By delaying larval development in young mealybugs, Anagyrus sp. nov near sinope achieved higher fitness by allowing the parasitized mealybugs to grow and accumulate body size and resources. We suggest that the fitness consequence of host stage selection of a koinobiont parasitoid should be evaluated on both the time of parasitism and the time of mummification.

 

Claps, L.E., Zamudio, P. & Briz, L.D. 2006. Dactylopiidae and Diaspididae (Hemiptera, Coccoidea) of the Kenneth Hayward Collection, Tucuman, Argentina. (In English with summary in Spanish.) Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 50(1): 33-38. Notes: The Dactylopiidae and Diaspididae (Hemiptera, Coccoidea) of the Kenneth Hayward Collection, Tucuman, Argentina. The Kenneth Hayward collection housed at the Instituto Miguel Lillo (IMLA) and at Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres" (EEAOC) both in Tucuman, Argentina, was studied. Four Dactylopiidae and 32 Diaspididae species with their host plants are listed. Duplaspidiotus koehleri Lizer y Trelles and Pallulaspis lantanae Green & Laing, are redescribed and illustrated; the two species were originally described from Argentina. The genus Rugaspidiotus Mc Gillivary is recorded for the first time from Argentina.

 

Classen, A.T., Hart, S.C., Whitman, T.G., Cobb N.S. & Koch, G.W. 2005. Insect infestations linked to shifts in microclimate: Important climate change implications. Soil Science Society of America Journal 69(6): 2049-2057. Notes: Changes in vegetation due to drought-influenced herbivory may influence microclimate in ecosystems. In combination with studies of insect resistant and susceptible trees, we used long-term herbivore removal experiments with two herbivores of pinon (Pinus edulis Endelm.) to test the general hypothesis that herbivore alteration of plant architecture affects soil microclimate, a major driver of ecosystem-level processes. The pinon needle scale (Matsucoccus acalyptus, Herbert) attacks needles of juvenile trees causing them to develop an open crown. In contrast, the stem-boring moth (Dioryctria albovittella Hulst.) kills the terminal shoots of mature trees, causing the crown to develop a dense form. Our studies focused on how the microclimate effects of these architectural changes are likely to accumulate over time. Three patterns emerged: (i) scale herbivory reduced leaf area index (LAI) of susceptible trees by 39%, whereas moths had no effect on LAI; (ii) scale herbivory increased soil moisture and temperature beneath susceptible trees by 35 and 26%, respectively, whereas moths had no effect; and (iii) scale and moth herbivory decreased crown interception of precipitation by 51 and 29%, respectively. From these results, we conclude: (1) the magnitude of scale effects on soil moisture and temperature is large, similar to global change scenarios, and sufficient to drive changes in ecosystem processes. (2) The larger sizes of moth-susceptible trees apparently buffered them from most microclimate effects of herbivory, despite marked changes in crown architecture. (3) The phenotypic expression of susceptibility or resistance to scale insects extends beyond plant-herbivore interactions to the physical environment.

 

Cooper, D.D. & Cranshaw, W.S. 2005. Life history of the pine needle scale, Chionaspis pinifoliae (Fitch), in northeastern Colorado. Southwestern Entomologist 30(1): 55-60.

 

Costa, M.G., Barbosa, J.C. & Yamamoto, P.T. 2006. [Probability distribution of Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) in citrus.] Distribuiçao de probabilidade de ocorrencia de Orthezia Praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) na cultura de citros. (In Portuguese with summary in English.) Neotropical Entomology 35(3): 395-401. Notes: The probability distribution of the orthezia scale, O. praelonga, was studied in plots of commercial orange orchards (Citrus sinensis cv. "Pera Rio"), with 5, 9 and 15 years of age, during one year 2004-05 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The survey of presence or absence of the pest in the plants was carried through twenty samplings in the total area of each plot and visually inspecting each plant. The dispersion indices used were: variance/mean relationship (I), index of Morisita (I SUB delta), coefficient of Green (Cx) and k exponent of negative binomial distribution for each sampling. The negative binomial distribution was more representative of the frequency distribution data of this scale in citrus, since the variance was superior to the average in all samplings. The analysis of the aggregation index showed that the majority of the samplings presented aggregate distribution for the scales.

 

Costa Marilia, G., Barbosa, J.C. & Yamamoto, P.T. 2006. [Probability distribution of Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Stemorrhyncha: Orthezildae) in citrus.] Distribuicao de probabilidade de ocorrencia de Orthezia Praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Stemorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) na cultura de citros. (In Portuguese.) Neotropical Entomology 35(3): 395-401. Notes: The probability distribution of the orthezia scale, Orthezia praelonga Douglas. was studied in plots of commercial orange orchards (Citrus sinensis L., var. "Pera Rio"), with 5. 9 and 15 years of age, during one year. The survey of presence or absence of the pest in the plants was carried through twenty samplings in the total area of each plot visually inspecting each plant. The dispersion indexes used were: variance/mean relationship (1), index of Morisita (I-delta), coefficient of Green (Cx) and k exponent of negative binomial distribution for each sampling. The negative binomial distribution was more representative of the frequency distribution data of this scale in citrus, since the variance was superior to the average in all samplings. The analysis of the aggregation index showed that the majority of the samplings presented aggregate distribution for the scales.

 

Culik, M.P., Martins, D. dos S. & Gullan, P.J. 2006. First records of two mealybug species in Brazil and new potential pests of papaya and coffee. (In English with summary in Portuguese.) Journal of Insect Science 6(23): 1-6. Notes: Five mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) plant pest species: Dysmicoccus grassii (Leonardi), Ferrisia malvastra (McDaniel), Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), Phenacoccus tucumanus Granara de Willink, and Pseudococcus elisae Borchsenius are recorded for the first time in the state of Espíritu Santo, Brazil. These are the first records of D. grassii in Brazil, from papaya (Carica papaya, Caricaceae), and from coffee (Coffea canephora, Rubiaceae). Ferrisia malvastra is also newly recorded in Brazil, where it was found on Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae). Ferrisia malvastra was collected from an unidentified weed and Phenacoccus tucumanus from Citrus sp. (Rutaceae). Plotococcus capixaba Kondo was found on pitanga (Eugenia cf. pitanga, Myrtaceae) and Pseudococcus elisae and Coffea canephora, which are new host records for these mealybugs.

 

da Luz, P.B., Bonani, J.P. & Santa-Cecilia, L.V.C. 2005. First occurrence of Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1893) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in palms of species Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry ex. Rehder in Brazil. (In Portuguese with summary in English.) Arquivos do Instituto Biológico. Sao Paulo 72(3): 391-393. Notes: [Original title: Primeira ocorrencia de Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1893) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) na Palmeira Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry ex. Rehder no Brasil.] Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) of roots the palm Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry ex. Rehder collected in Lavras, State of Minas Gerais, were identified as Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1893), this being the first report of the occurrence of this pest on this plant in Brazil.

 

Dai, P.C., Sun, D.S. & Shao, D.K. 2006. [Bionomics and control of Matsucoccus sinensis Chen.]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Zhongguo Senlin Bingchong 25(3): 33-35.

 

da Luz, P.B., Bonani, J.P. & Santa-Cecilia, L.V.C. 2005. First occurrence of Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1893) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in palms of species Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry ex. Rehder in Brazil. (In Portuguese with summary in English.) Arquivos do Instituto Biológico. Sao Paulo 72(3): 391-393. Notes: [Original title: Primeira ocorrencia de Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1893) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) na Palmeira Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry ex. Rehder no Brasil.] Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) of roots the palm Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry ex. Rehder collected in Lavras, State of Minas Gerais, were identified as Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1893), this being the first report of the occurrence of this pest on this plant in Brazil.

 

Danzig, E.M. 2005. About the authorship of Arctorthezia cataphracta (Homoptera, Coccinea: Ortheziidae). Zoosystematica Rossica 14(1): 44. Notes: It is shown that the specific name in Arctorthezia cataphracta must be credited to Shaw, 1794, not to Olafsen, 1772.

 

Danzig, E.M. 2005a. A new species of Greenisca from Russia (Homoptera, Coccinea, Eriococcidae). Zoosystematica Rossica 14(2): 203-205. Notes: The type species of the genus Greenisca is designated. Greenisca matesovae sp. n. is described and illustrated.

 

Danzig, E.M. 2006. [Mealybugs of the genus Phenacoccus Ckll. (Homoptera, Pseudococcidae) of the fauna of Russia and adjacent countries. II.]. (In Russian.) Entomologicheskoe Obozrenye 85(1): 122-161. Notes: The second part of the publication contains a key to 49 species from the former USSR and a review of the 25 species not covered by the first part of the revision (Danzig, 2003); these are mostly species with an incomplete set of the ceraria. Species of the Ph. Piceae (Loew) group are not included in this paper because they are dealt with in a special publication (Danzig, 2004). New data are reported on Ph. Hordei (Lind.), Ph. Pumilus Kir., Ph. Strigosus Borchs., and Ph. Perilustris Borchs. which are reviewed in the first part of the series. The descriptions and figures of all species discussed in this paper are given. Lectotypes are designated for 6 nominal species. The following new synonymies are ascertained: Phenacoccus setiger Borsch. (=Ph. Gobicus Danzig, =kaplini Danzig); Ph. Abditus Borchs. (=Ph. Bicerarius Borchs.); Ph. Incertus Kir. (=Euripersia caulicola Terezn.); Ph. Phenacoccoides Kir. (=Ph. Cynodontis Borchs., =eugeniae Baz., =bazarovi Ben-Dov); Ph. pumilus Kir. (=Ph. Pseudopumilus Hadz.), syn. nn. Two new species are described: Phenacoccus kochiae sp. n. and Ph. Kazakhstanicus sp. n. Phenacoccus stipae Nurm. is not included in the review because it had been transferred to the genus Euripersia Borchs. The distinctions between the genera Euripersia and Phenacoccus are conventional and will be discussed in the subsequent publication.

 

Danzig, E.M. 2006a. Mealybugs of the genus Phenacoccus Ckll. (Homoptera, Pseudococcidae) in the fauna of Russia and adjacent countries. II. Entomological Review 86(2): 197-227. Notes: The second part of the publication contains a key to 49 species from the former USSR and a review of the 25 species not covered by the first part of the revision (Danzig, 2003); these are mostly species with an incomplete set of the ceraria. Species of the Ph. Piceae (Loew) group are not included in this paper because they are dealt with in a special publication (Danzig, 2004). New data are reported on Ph. Hordei (Lind.), Ph. Pumilus Kir., Ph. Strigosus Borchs., and Ph. Perilustris Borchs. which are reviewed in the first part of the series. The descriptions and figures of all species discussed in this paper are given. Lectotypes are designated for 6 nominal species. The following new synonymies are ascertained: Phenacoccus setiger Borsch. (=Ph. Gobicus Danzig, =kaplini Danzig); Ph. Abditus Borchs. (=Ph. Bicerarius Borchs.); Ph. Incertus Kir. (=Euripersia caulicola Terezn.); Ph. Phenacoccoides Kir. (=Ph. Cynodontis Borchs., =eugeniae Baz., =bazarovi Ben-Dov); Ph. pumilus Kir. (=Ph. Pseudopumilus Hadz.), syn. nn. Two new species are described: Phenacoccus kochiae sp. n. and Ph. Kazakhstanicus sp. n. Phenacoccus stipae Nurm. is not included in the review because it had been transferred to the genus Euripersia Borchs. The distinctions between the genera Euripersia and Phenacoccus are conventional and will be discussed in the subsequent publication.

 

Danzig, E.M. & Gavrilov, I.A. 2005. [On the systematics and cytogenetics of some species of scale insects (Homoptera, Coccinea) from Voronezh.]. (In Russian with summary in English.) Entomologicheskoe Obozrenye 84(3): 527- 530. Notes: Phenacoccus phenacoccoides (Kiritshenko, 1932) and Greensisca glyceriae (Green, 1921) are reported for the first time for the middle zone of European Russia. Fonscolombia butorinae sp. n. is similar to F. tshadaevae (Danzig, 1980) but differs from it in the absence of quinquelocular disc pores and ventral tubular ducts on thorax, and in the presence of dorsal tubular ducts. The karyotypes of Fonscolombia butorinae sp. no. (2n=10), F. tomlinii (2n=10, and Ph. phenacoccoides (2n=10+1-2B) are discussed and illustrated for the first time.

 

Danzig, E.M. & Gavrilov, I.A. 2005a. On the systematics and cytogenetics of some species of scale insects (Homoptera, Coccinea) from Voronezh. Entomological Review 85(5): 476-479. Notes: Phenacoccus phenacoccoides (Kiritshenko, 1932) and Greensisca glyceriae (Green, 1921) are reported for the first time for the middle zone of European Russia. Fonscolombia butorinae sp. n. is similar to F. tshadaevae (Danzig, 1980) but differs from it in the absence of quinquelocular disc pores and ventral tubular ducts on thorax, and in the presence of dorsal tubular ducts. The karyotypes of Fonscolombia butorinae sp. no. (2n=10), F. tomlinii (2n=10, and Ph. phenacoccoides (2n=10+1-2B) are discussed and illustrated for the first time.

 

Dapson, R.W. 2005. A method for determining identity and relative purity of carmine, carminic acid and aminocarminic acid. Biotechnic & Histochemistry 80(5/6): 201-205. Notes: Carmine is one of the few dyes currently certified by the Biological Stain Commission that is not assayed for dye content. Existing assay methods are complex and do not differentiate the three cochineal derivatives carmine, carminic acid and aminocarminic acid. The latter dye is relatively new to the food trade as an acid-stable red colorant and may eventually enter the biological stains market. The assay proposed here is a two-step procedure using quantitative spectrophotometric analysis at high pH (12.5-12.6) followed by a qualitative scan of a low pH (1.90-2.10) solution. Carmine is distinct at high pH, and the remaining dyes are easily distinguished at low pH. Four instances of mislabeling are documented from 18 commercial products, but the mislabeled dyes were not certified dyes. Samples from nearly all lots of carmine certified by the Biological Stain Commission from 1920 to 2004 proved to be carmine, but they varied widely in dye content. Batches from 1920 through the 1940s were significantly richer in dye content. Variability has been extreme since 2000, and most of the poorest lots have been submitted since 1990.

 

Das, B.K. & Sahoo, A.K. 2005. Record of parasitoids of some scale and mealybug pests of mango from West Bengal, India. Journal of Biological Control 19(1): 71-72. Notes: A survey of parasitoids of scale and mealybug pests of mango was conducted in Malda district of West Bengal, India during 1999-2000. Chartocerus sp., Azotus sp. and Gyranusoidea tebygi Noyes was recorded on Rastrococcus invadens Williams. On Rastrococcus iceryoides Green, Chartocerus walkeri Hayat, Aprostocetus sp., Promuscidea unfasciativentris Girault, Anagyrus pseudococci Girault and Anagyrus mirzai Agarwal and Alam were recorded. Two species of Aprostocetus, Encyrtus sp. and Austroterobia maldica Narendran and Das were recorded on Icerya minor Green. Coccophagus ceroplastae (Howard) and Promuscidea unfasciativentris were recorded from Pulvinaria polygonata (CockII.).

 

de Leon, J.H., Fournier, V., Hagler, J.R. & Daane, K.M. 2006. Development of molecular diagnostic markers for sharpshooters [Homalodisca coagulata and Homalodisca liturata for use in predator gut content examinations. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 119(2): 109-119. Notes: To aid in identifying key predators of Proconiini sharpshooter species present in California, we developed and tested molecular diagnostic markers for the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say), and smoke-tree sharpshooter, Homalodisca liturata (Ball) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Two different types of markers were compared, those targeting single-copy sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) and mitochondrial markers targeting the multicopy cytochrome oxidase subunit genes I (COI) and II (COII). A total of six markers were developed, two SCAR and four mitochondrial COI or COII markers. Specificity assays demonstrated that SCAR marker HcF5/HcR7 was H. coagulata specific and HcF6/HcR9 was H. coagulata/H. liturata specific. COI (HcCOI-F/R) and COII (HcCOII-F4/R4) markers were H. coagulata specific, COII (G/S-COII-F/R) marker was H. coagulata/H. liturata specific, and lastly, COII marker (Hl-COII-F/R) was H. liturata specific. Sensitivity assays using genomic DNA showed the COI marker to be the most sensitive marker with a detection limit of 6 pg of DNA. This marker was 66-fold more sensitive than marker Hl-COII-F/R that showed a detection limit of 400 pg of DNA. In addition, the COI marker was 4.2-fold more sensitive than the COII marker. In predator gut assays, the COI and COII markers demonstrated significantly higher detection efficiency than the SCAR markers. Furthermore, the COI marker demonstrated slightly higher detection efficiency over the COII marker. Lastly, we describe the inclusion of an internal control (28S amplification) for predation studies performing predator gut analyses utilizing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This control was critical in order to monitor reactions for PCR failures, PCR inhibitors, and for the presence of DNA. Coccus hesperidum is mentioned in this study.

 

Deng, Y.J., Huang, D.Z. & Shen, Z.R. 2006. Investigation and identification of scale insects in the outdoor ornamental trees in Hebei Province. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Zhongguo Senlin Bingchong 5(2): 14-19.

 

Ehler, L.E. 2005. Biological control of Melanaspis obscura on oaks in northern California. Biocontrol Dordecht 50(5): 739-749. Notes: In 1988, Encarsia aurantii (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was introduced into northern California to control an isolated infestation of obscure scale, Melanaspis obscura (Comstock) (Coccoidea: Diaspididae), on native and exotic oaks (Quercus spp.) in Sacramento's Capitol Park. By 2002, there was no longer any need for chemical control of the scale (i.e., complete biological control). Both parasite and host are univoltine; peak emergence of adult parasites coincides with the peak of newly settled, first-instar scales. Increase of the parasite and concomitant decline of the scale from 1992 to 2004 are documented for one native and one exotic oak tree. During spring of 2004, mean density of female scales (based on 100 twigs per tree) on 12 previously infested oak trees was generally low, ranging from <1 (eight trees) to 15 (single tree) scales/twig. Mean percentage parasitization (per twig) ranged from 30 to 85%, and was density independent (spatial context) for each of five trees. Two refuges for the scale population were noted: some scale crawlers settled and developed under the parental scale cover (spatial refuge) and some female scales continued to produce crawlers into late summer and early fall, when adult parasites were no longer available (temporal refuge). This case illustrates how an introduction strategy (i.e., single-species release of E. aurantii), which was derived from an analysis of the parasite guild of the pest, was executed in the field and ultimately led to successful biological control.

 

El-Serwy, S.A. & Guerrieri, E. 2005. Seasonal fluctuation of the parasite complex of Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on sugar cane in Giza, Egypt. (In English with summary in Arabic.) Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research 83(1): 47-62. Notes: The seasonal variation of the parasite complex of the red-striped soft scale, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata, in Egypt was studied. Sugarcane leaves infested by the soft scale were collected weekly from untreated fields in Egypt, from September 1999 to February 2000 and from September to December in 2001 and 2002. The highest rate of parasitism was recorded in 2001 (55.8%) while during 1999-2000 and 2002 those values were 43.5 and 37%, respectively. Eight species of primary parasitoids, i.e. Coccophagus semicircularis and Coccophagus obscurus (new record), Metaphycus flavus, Metaphycus citricola (new record), Microterys nietneri, Parechthrodryinus coccidiphagus (new record), Comperia alfieri (new record) and Diversinervus elegans and 6 hyperparasitoids, i.e. Pachyneuron muscarum, Marietta leopardina (new record) and Ablerus chionaspidis (= Ablerus greatheadi; new record), Mahencyrtus comara (new record), Cerapterocerus mirabilis (new record) and Cheiloneurus subsp. were identified. The ratios between primary and secondary parasitoids collected were 99:1 (1999-2000), 94:6 (2001-2002) and 96:4 (2002-2003). Metaphycus flavus and M. citricola seem to be the most promising parasitoids to be used as biological control agents against the red-striped soft scale on sugarcane in Egypt. The former species was more abundant between late-October and early-March in 1999-2000 and during mid- and late-September until mid-February in 2001-02 and 2002-03; in the same period, the most abundant hyperparasitoid was Pachyneuron muscarum. Competition between primary parasitoid species resulted in a decrease of Metaphycus flavus and Coccophagus semicircularis collected during 1999-2000 to 2002-03; probably their activity was replaced by that of Metaphycus citricola whose rate of parasitism increased from 12.5% to 31.9% in the same period. However, the general increase of hyperparasitism recorded during 1999-2000 to 2002-03 could have played a role in the decrease of Metaphycus flavus and Coccophagus semicircularis. In 2001-02 and 2002-03, Parechthrodryinus coccidiphagus represented 4% of the primary parasitoids emerged. The parasitic activity of Microterys nietneri peaked (9%) in 2001-02, opposed to 2% recorded in the 2 other seasons. Diversinervus elegans and Comperia alfieri as well as Coccophagus obscurus emerged only in a few numbers in different seasons. Competition between secondary parasitoids species resulted in a general decrease of Marietta leopardina (approximately 15%) and an increase of Pachyneuron muscarum (10%) during the second season. Their activity was somewhat replaced by that of Cheiloneurus subsp., who dominated in 2002-03.

 

El-Shazly, E.A., Ismail, I.A. & Abdel-Rahman, R.S. 2005. Host-plant preference of the red-striped soft scale insect, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Newstead). (In English with summary in Arabic.) Bulletin of the National Research Centre (Cairo) 30(3): 317-324. Notes: The effect of five host plants, namely sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), cogon grass (Imperata cylindrical), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), sweet sorghum (Sorghum vulgare var. saccharatum) and maize (Zea mays), on different biological aspects of the red striped-soft scale, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata, was studied. The percentage of nymphs that succeeded to reach the adult stage differed on the different host plants. This percentage was maximum on sugarcane and sweet sorghum followed by cogon grass, while the minimum was on maize. The shortest preoviposition period of the insects was recorded on sugarcane and elephant grass plants, while the oviposition period was about twice greater on sugarcane than on sweet sorghum. No significant difference existed between the oviposition period on sweet sorghum and maize. The maximum number of eggs was found on sugarcane, but the minimum number was found on maize and sweet sorghum. Adult longevity on sugarcane was about twice greater than that on maize, while it was one-half that on elephant grass. Thus, sugarcane plant was more preferable to the insect than all other tested host plants.

 

Elwan, E.A.H. 2005. Population dynamics of Maskell scale, Insulaspis pallidula (Green) (Homoptera - Diaspididae), on mango trees in Egypt. (In English with summary in Arabic.) Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research 83(3): 1199-1212. Notes: Maskell scale, Insulaspis pallidula, is a common scale insect on mango trees, Mangifera indica, resulting in defoliation and branch drying. Population dynamics, number and duration of generations as well as the effect of two weather factors on the insect activity were studied at El-Qanater El-Khairia, Qalubia Governorate, Egypt in 2001/02 and 2002/03. Results revealed that pre-adult and adult populations peaked four times per year during May, July, September/October and November. The pest had four annual overlapping generations, with the highest generation occurring during autumn in both studied years. The daily mean temperature was entirely under the optimum range of pre-adult and adult activities in the two years, whereas the daily mean relative humidity was within the optimum range of the pre-adult and adult activities in 2001/02 and entirely under the optimum range of the pre-adult and adult activities in 2002/03. The combined effect of the two weather factors on the pre-adult and adult activities was highly significant in both years.

 

Elwan, E.A., Assem, S.M., Khewa, M.M. & Shalaby, M.S.I. 2005. Field evaluation of some pesticides for controlling Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Newstead) (Homoptera: Coccidae) on sugarcane in Kom Ombo District, Aswan governorate. (In English with summary in Arabic.) Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research 83(4): 1669-1679. Notes: An experiment was conducted in Kom Ombo district, Aswan governorate, Egypt, during 2002 and 2003 to evaluate the efficacy of Chalinger (chlorfenapyr), Admiral (pyriproxyfen), Mospilan (acetamiprid), Actara (thiamethoxam), Marshal (carbosulfan), Orion (alanycarb) and Sulfer (sulfer) to control sugarcane soft scale, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata, infesting sugarcane fields. The pesticides were highly effective against insect populations in both years. Chalinger was the highest most effective compound against the nymphal populations (94.8%). Admiral and Mospilan came in the 2nd order (93.6 and 93.4%) followed by Marshal in the 3rd order (88.9%). Sulfer and Actara came in the 4th order (88.1% & 88%) and Orion was the last (86.8%). The efficacy of the evaluated pesticides on the adult populations showed that Chalinger, Admiral and Mospilan were the highest effective compounds on the adult populations (93.5, 92.5 and 91.9%) followed by Marshal in the 2nd order (86.6%). Sulfer, Actara and Orion were less effective pesticides on the adult populations (85.6, 84.6 and 83.5%). The efficiency of the tested pesticides on the insect populations (nymphs and adults) indicates that, Chalinger was the highest effective compound (94.6%) on the insect populations followed by Admiral and Mospilan in the 2nd order (93.4 and 93.1%). Marshal and Sulfer came in the 3rd order (88.2 and 87.7%), Orion was the last (86.6%).

 

Elwan, E.A., Shalaby, M.S.I. & Khewa, M.M. 2005. Efficiency of some insecticides for control Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Newstead) (Homoptera: Coccidae) on sugarcane in Naga-Hammadi District, Qena governorate. (In English with summary in Arabic.) Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research 83(4): 1649-1661. Notes: An experiment was conducted in Naga-Hammadi district, Egypt, during 4 September 2002 and 15 September 2003 to evaluate the efficiency of Actellic 50% EC (pirimiphos-methyl), Sumithion 50% EC (fenitrothion), Malathion 57% EC (malathion), Malatox 50% WP (malathion), Dimethoate 40% EC (dimethoate) and Dursban 48% EC (chlorpyrifos) for the control of Pulvinaria tenuivalvata. The insecticides were highly effective against the insect populations in both 2002 and 2003. Actellic was the highest effective compound (99.1%) on the nymphal populations followed by Sumithion in the second order (98.4%). Dursban came in the third order (96.9%). Dimethoate, Malatox and Malathion came in the last order (96.1, 96 and 95.7%). Similar results were observed with the adult populations where the highest effective compound was Actellic (96.9%) followed by Sumithion and Dursban in the 2nd order (95.8 and 95.2%). Malatox, Dimethoate and Malathion came in the last order (93.3, 93.2 and 93%). On the other hand, the efficiency of the tested insecticides on insect populations (nymphs and adults) combined over the 2 years indicated that, Actellic was the highest effective compound (98.7%) followed by Sumithion in the 2nd order (98.2%) and Dursban in the 3rd order (96.4%). Dimethoate, Malatox and Malathion came in the last order (95.8, 95.4 and 95.3%).

 

Epsky, N.D., Amalin, D., Kendra, P.E., Puche, H. & Mannion, C.M. 2006. Temporal and spatial characterization of an infestation of Paratachardina lobata lobata (Hemiptera: Kerriidae), a new invasive pest in Florida. (In English with summary in Spanish.) Florida Entomologist 89(3): 367-374. Notes: The lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) was first found in south Florida in 1999. Reported hosts are present in the germplasm collection located at the USDA/ARS Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Miami, and the scale was first found there in the summer of 2002. A study was initiated to determine the spatio-temporal dynamics of a lobate lac scale infestation at SHRS from Jul 2003 to Jul 2005. Numbers and percentages of viable adults, and reproductive success as indicated by ratio of nymphs to viable adults (<2 cm diam and 30 cm long branch sample) were recorded. There were 55 plants evaluated over the 80 hectares study site. Infestation increased from 42% of sampled plants at the start of the study to 75% at the end, and most of the plants had low or moderate levels of infestation (between 0 and 100 adults per 30 cm branch) over the course of the study. Percentage of non-viable adults dropped from 27% at the start of the study to 7% by the end of the study, and ratio of nymphs to viable adults dropped from 9% to 2%. Spatial analysis showed that initial infestations were along the eastern edge of the sampled area, with populations declining over the first half of the study but then increasing during the second half. Over the course of the study, heavy infestations (>=100 scales per 30 cm branch) were found on only seven host plants. Among plants located in areas of high infestation probabilities, individual host susceptibility appeared to be the primary factor regulating infestation level.

 

Felippe, M.R., Garbim, L.F., Coelho, J.H.C., Ximenes, N. L., Sanchez, A.L. & Yamamoto, P.T. 2005. [Chemical control of orthezia in citrus.] Controle quimico da cochonilha ortezia em citros. (In Portuguese with summary in English.) Laranja 26(2): 251-264. Notes: The Orthezia praelonga scale is considered an important citrus pest in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. It causes debility of the trees and drop of leaves and fruits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different types of insecticides (contact, systemic and insect growth regulator), including aldicarb, imidacloprid, deltamethrin, ethion, thiamethoxam, acephate, fenpropathrin, pyriproxifen and mineral oil, for the control of O. praelonga on 'Pera' sweet orange grafted on 'Cleopatra' mandarin. The evaluations were performed on four branches per plant, by quantifying the number of nymphs and adults. The number of insects present per tree, in five leaves randomly sampled, was also evaluated. All the insecticides were efficient against O. praelonga scale for 288 days.

 

Felix, A.P., Rocha, P., Brazao, C.I. & Franquinho Aguiar, A.M. 2005. Laboratory culturing and morphological aspects of Hyperaspis pantherina Fuersch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) a predator of the Orthezia insignis Browne (Homoptera: Ortheziidae). (In English with summary in Spanish.) Boletín de Sanidad Vegetal, Plagas 31(4): 473-481. Notes: [Original title: Criacao laboratorial e aspectos morfologicos de Hyperaspis panterina Fuersch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) predador de Orthezia insignis Browne (Homoptera: Ortheziidae).] The ladybird Hyperaspis pantherina Fuersch, was imported from Kenya, through KEFRI (Kenya Forestry Research Institute), to Madeira Island in 2002 to be used as a predator in the biological control of Orthezia insignis Browne, an homopteran infesting Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don trees. A new rearing methodology to increase the production of this predator is presented based on the knowledge of its biology, predator-prey interaction and earlier rearing methodologies like that described in FOWLER (1993). Morphological aspects of the different development stages are described in detail.

 

Feng, Y., Chen, X.M., He, Z., Guo, B.H. & Ma, Y. 2006. Anti-mutation experiment of white wax scale (Ericerus pela) and analysis of main function factors. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Forest Research 19(3): 284-288. Notes: An experiment was conducted to investigate the anti-mutation of white wax scale (Ericerus pela) and to analyse its main functional factors. The micro-nucleoli rates in every experimental dose were lower compared with the contrast in 48 h. Significant difference was observed between high dose and contrast group. The restriction rate of micro-nucleoli in high dose group was 34.19%. Results showed that white wax scale could restrict mutation caused by CP [coat protein] and had clear anti-mutation function. White wax scale contained 2.14% chitin and 7.2% crude polysaccharide. The polysaccharide content was 4.54% after removing protein by enzyme. The sugar content of the polysaccharide was 22.1% as glucose, composed of glucose, galactose and fructose in molar ratio of 5:21:1. The polysaccharide isolated from white wax scale was polysaccharide-protein complex. This insect contained 1.3% flavonoid and several kinds of vitamins, chitin, polysaccharide. Vitamin and flavonoid were the main anti-mutation functional factors of white wax scale.

 

Feng, Y., Chen, X.M., Ma, Y. & He, Z. 2006. [Experimental study on immunomodulation of white wax scale (Ericerus pela Chavannes).]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Forest Research 19(2): 221-224. Notes: This paper dealed with the immunnodulation tests of white wax scale in specific and unspecific immunity. The result showed that the IgM in high dose group was clearly higher than that of the control in serolysin test. Lymphocyte transformation and propagation in mice were notable in high dose group. The results of carbon clearance test in mice and the weight of immune organ test (unspecific immune tests) were negative. The research results showed that white wax scale could increase the specific humoral and cell immunity ability. Therefore white wax scale has immunodulation function which could be developed and utilized as health food resource.

 

Feng, J.N. & Zhang, F.P. 2005. [A new species of the genus Parlatoria (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) from China.]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Entomotaxonomia 27(4): 269-271. Notes: One new species of the genus Parlatoria (P. menglunensis sp. nov.) is described from Yunnan, China. The new species is similar to P. pergandii but can be distinguished from the latter by (1) pygidium with 4 pairs of well-developed pygidial lobes; and (2) pygidium with 30 dorsal macroducts. P. pergandii has 3 pairs of well-developed pygidial lobes and pygidium with 10-20 dorsal macroducts. All the type specimens are deposited in the Entomological Museum of Northwest Sci-Tech University of Agriculture and Forestry.

 

Ferrer, A., Marco, F.M., Andreu, C. & Sempere, J.M. 2005. Occupational asthma to carmine in a butcher: Analysis of the literature on allergy to carmine. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 138(3): 243-250. Notes: Hypersensitivity to carmine (E120) has been identified as a cause of food intolerance and occupational asthma. We present a case of occupational asthma following exposure to carmine in a manufacturer of sausages and review the literature. Case Report: A 42-year-old non-atopic male presented with a 5-year history of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma on occupational exposure to food additive dusts. Symptoms increased after work. The patient had been exposed for more than 20 years. Methods: Skin prick tests were performed with a battery of common inhalant allergens and spices. Cochineal, carmine lake and additive mixes used by the patient were extracted and subsequently used for skin prick test, bronchial provocation and in vitro measurements (specific IgE, Western blot and chromatographic fractionation). Results: Prick tests were positive to carmine and carmine-containing additives; carmine-specific IgE and bronchial challenge tests were also positive (PC SUB 2 SUB 0 = 0.0004 mg/ml and 1.6 kU/I). Western blot showed IgE binding to bands of about 30 kDa on cochineal extract and a diffuse pattern at 40-97 kDa on carmine. This result was confirmed by gel filtration chromatography and dot blot. Carmine completely inhibited IgE binding to cochineal extract. Discussion: Carmine is a potential sensitizer in an occupational setting: 18 cases of occupational asthma have been described to date. Carmine allergens are poorly defined; in general, proteins from cochineal not removed by the extraction process are considered as the main allergens in carmine. Our results are consistent with this, but show that these proteins may be subject to chemical modification.

 

Flores-Hernandez, A., Murillo-Amador, B., Rueda-Puente, E.O., Garcia-Hernandez,J.L. & Troyo-Dieguez, E. 2006. [Reproduction of wild cochineal Dactylophis opuntiae (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae).] Reproduccion de cochinilla silvestre Dactylopius opuntiae (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae). (In Spanish.) Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 77(1): 97-102. Notes: Wild cochineal has characteristics that offer advantage as a source of carmine and for fine cochineal improvement. To characterize wild cochineal, we initiated a breeding effort raising wild cochineal from the arid zone of the north of Mexico, using as a host organism Opuntia megacantha Salm Dyck. The results indicate that the wild species is Dactylopius opuntiae. The presence of parthenogenesis in females was determined. The duration of ontogenetic stages depends on the sex of the insect. The adult female lasted 38.4 days and 4.2 days for males; the first stage nymphs were similar in duration (18-19.8 days). The complete biological cycle of the females was 77 days, and in the males 43 days. A period of preoviposition of 18.8 days for the females was found, laying eggs during 2 1 days with an average of 13 1 insects per female. The sex ratio female: male was 1:1. The reproduction generally was sexual although there were parthenogenetic females. This is the first report of Dactylopius opuntiae as a source of wild cochineal in the arid zone of North. Central and Northwest Mexico. specifically in the Bolson of Mapimi, Durango, Mexico.

 

Foldi, I. 2006. [Two new scale insects from Brazil and Ecuador (Hemiptera, Sternorhyncha, Coccoidea).] Deux nouvelles Cochenilles du Brésil et de l'Équateur (Hemiptera, Sternorhyncha, Coccoidea). (In French with summary in English.) Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de France 111: 101-113. Notes: Two new species of scale insects (Hemiptera, Coccoidea), Protortonia ecuadorensis n. sp. (Monophlebidae) on Salix sp. (Salicaceae) in Ecuador and Stigmacoccus paranaensis n. sp. (Xylococcidae) on the trunk of Inga sp. (Leguminosae) in Brazil, were discovered. The adult female and male at P. ecuadorensis, n. sp. and the first and second instar nymphs and the adult female of S. paranaensis.

 

Foldi, I. & Kozar, F. 2006(2005). New species of Cataenococcus and Puto from Brazil and Venezuela, with data on others species (Hemiptera, Coccoidea). (In English with summary in French.) Nouvelle Revue d'Entomologie 22(4): 305-312. Notes: The adult females of 2 new scale insect species, Cataenococcus asparodosensis sp. nov. on Phragmites communis [P. australis] from Brazil and Puto salinasi sp. nov. on Espeletia timotensis base leaves, from Venezuelan Andes are described and illustrated. Data are also given on 25 species of Pseudococcidae and 2 Putoidae collected in Brazil and Venezuela, of which 3 are new records for Brazil (Dysmicoccus sylvarum, Phenacoccus hurdi, Pseudococcus calceolariae and) and 3 for Venezuela (Amonostherium lichtensioides, Chorizococcus caribaeus and Ferrisia consobrina).

 

Follett, P.A. 2006. Irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for Aspidiotus destructor (Homoptera: Diaspididae). Journal of Economic Entomology 99(4): 1138-1142. Notes: Coconut scale, Aspidiotus destructor Signoret (Homoptera: Diaspididae), is a quarantine pest of banana (Musa spp.) and many tropical crops. Irradiation was examined as a potential phytosanitary treatment to control coconut scale. Dose-response tests were conducted with second-stage nymphs, adult females without eggs, and adult females with eggs at a series of irradiation doses between 60 and 200 Gy to determine the most tolerant stage. The adult female with eggs was the most tolerant stage. In large-scale validation tests and dose-response tests, a total of 32,716 adult female scales with eggs irradiated with doses between 100 and 150 Gy produced no F SUB 1 adults with eggs. Irradiation treatment with a minimum absorbed dose of 150 Gy should provide quarantine security for coconut scale on exported commodities.

 

Fondren, K.M. & McCullough, D.G. 2005. Phenology, natural enemies, and efficacy of horticultural oil for control of Chionaspis heterophyllae (Homoptera: Diaspididae) on Christmas tree plantations. Journal of Economic Entomology 98(5): 1603-1613. Notes: Pine needle scale, Chionaspis pinifoliae (Fitch), and C. heterophyllae Cooley are important pests of Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L., and other conifers in much of North America. On Christmas tree plantations, these insects are typically controlled by spraying broad-spectrum insecticides when the vulnerable immature stages are present. However, effective control of bivoltine populations can be difficult to achieve due to asynchronous hatch and development of the second generation. Our objectives were to 1) determine the phenology of the second generation of C. heterophyllae in Michigan; 2) characterize the natural enemy complex; and 3) assess the effectiveness of horticultural oil for control of C. heterophyllae on P. sylvestris Christmas tree plantations. We monitored scale populations in three counties in lower Michigan for 3 yr. Scale phenology was consistently associated with cumulative degree-days base 10 degrees C (DD10 degrees C). Second-generation egg hatch began at approximate to 1230-1300 DD10 degrees C, and continued for approximate to 3 wk. The peak of the second instar coincided with 1500-1600 DD10 degrees C. Common predators included the coccinellids Chilocorus stigma (Say) and Microweisia misella (LeConte). On average, 70% of the C. heterophyllae population in unsprayed fields was killed by predators in 1999. Two endoparasitic wasps, Encarsia bella Gahan and Marietta mexicana Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), also were recovered. In 2000 and 2001, we applied a highly refined horticultural spray oil with a backpack mist blower at 1500-1600 DD10 degrees C. Scale mortality on trees treated with oil ranged from 66 to 80% and was similar to control achieved using conventional insecticides in both years.

 

Frantisek, K. & Jitka, S. 2005. Monitoring of San Jose scale (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus Comst.) by pheromone traps and timing of control on crawlers. Bulletin OILB/SROP (Sect. Reg. Ouest Palearctique) 28(7): 183-187. Notes: [Use of pheromones and other semiochemicals in integrated control. Proceedings of the IOBC/WPRS 6th International Conference on Integrated Fruit Production, Cross, J. & Ioriatti, C. (Eds.), Baselga di Pine, Italy, 26-30 September 2004.] Field experiments were conducted in apple orchards in North Bohemia, from 1996 to 1999 and South Moravia, Czech Republic, from 1996 to 2003, to test 3 pheromone components for monitoring males of the San Jose scale, Diaspidiotus perniciosus (SJS). The combination of 2 specific pheromone components were the most effective for trapping SJS males. The date on which the first generation crawlers start to migrate was determined according to the sum of effective temperatures from 350 to 400(deg)C above 7.3(deg)C, calculated as from the date on which the first males of the owerwintering generation have been found in the pheromone traps. This sum of effective temperatures indicated the optimum period for timing of insecticide application. In orchards where insecticides were applied against the crawlers, the population density of SJS decreased and the damage to fruits was eliminated.

 

Gantner, M. 2005. Susceptibility of large-fruited hazel cultivars grown in Poland to major pest and their crop productivity. Acta Horticulturae 686: 377-384. Notes: [Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress on Hazelnut, Tarragona-Reus, Spain, 14-18 June, 2004.] Studies were conducted during 1999-2003 in a 2.5-ha hazelnut orchard at Konskowola, central-eastern Poland to evaluate the susceptibility of large-fruited cultivars (Wonder from Bollwiller, Purple Filbert, Barram White Filbert, Hall's Giant, Luizen Zellernuss and Mogul-Nuss) to filbert bigmite (Phytoptus avellanae), filbert aphid (Myzocallis coryli) and lecanium scale (Parthenolecanium corni) and their yield. Purple Filbert, White Filbert, Hall's Giant, Luizen Zellernuss and Mogul-Nuss showed partial resistance to two of the three examined pests. Wonder from Bollwiller and Barra turned out to be the most susceptible to all three pests. The highest nut yields were obtained from trees that were most susceptible to the occurrence of the studied pests. Luizen Zellernuss was characterized by its high resistance to filbert bigmite and lecanium scale with relatively high yield.

 

Gaona Garcia, G., Ruiz Cancino, E., Myartseva, S.N., Trjapitzin, V.A., Mora Olivo, A. & Coronado Blanco, J.M. 2006. [Hymenopteran parasitoids (Chalcidoidea) of Coccoidea (Homoptera) in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.] Himenopteros parasitoides (Chalcidoidea) de Coccoidea (Homoptera) en Cd. Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. (In Spanish with summary in English.) Acta Zoologica Mexicana Nueva Serie 22(1): 9-16. Notes: Coccoidea collected on ornamentals plants, fruit trees and shadow trees in 25 localities of Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico, from April 1998 to September 2001, obtaining 32 parasitoid species from the families Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae and Signiphoridae, emerged from 24 species of Coccoidea.

 

Gavrilov, I.A. & Smirnova, N.V. 2005. Scale insects of the Volga Area (Homoptera: Coccinea). II. Scale insects from Nizhniy Novgorod Province, Chuvashia and Mari-El. Zoosystematica Rossica 14(2): 207-209. Notes: Eight species collected in the upper Volga Area are listed. Six species, Orthezia urticae (Linnaeus), Trionymus perrisii (Signoret), Acanthococcus baldonensis Rasina, Greenisca brachypodii Borchsenius et al.; Danzig, Eriopeltis lichtensteinii Signoret, and Chionaspis salicis (Linnaeus) are recorded from the Volga Area for the first time. Variability of Trionymus perrisii (Signoret) is discussed and illustrated.

 

Gazinska, P. 2005. [Cryptococcus fagisuga Lindinger, 1936 (Homoptera: Coccinea, Cryptococcidae) - a pest of the beech Fagus sylvatica L. in northern part of the Ilawa Lakeland Landscape Park.]. (In Polish with summary in English.) A KertPolskie Towarzystwo Lesne 149(6): 34-39. Notes: One of the reasons of declining beech (Fagus sylvatica stands in Poland is the presence of the scale insect Cryptococcus fagisuga which graze in bark fissures on tree trunk, branches and roots. This insect may cause mucus secretion from spots on the bark, bark necrosis and may open the way for the infection of the fungus Nectria. A study was conducted at the Ilawa Lakeland Landscape Park in 2004 to assess the intensity of infestation of C. fagisuga on beech by determining the percentage of beech trees infested with C. fagisuga. It was found that 91% of the 500 beech trees randomly selected were found to be infested with C. fagisuga. Trees were divided into 3 classes (low, moderate, and high) based on the degree of infection, where 84.2 12.5 and 3.3% of the total number of trees evaluated had low, moderate and high level of infestation, respectively. The insect colony structure for each class was either dispersed or cluster. Increased intensity of infestation was associated with the increased number of cluster colonies. Incidental distribution was noted for trees with the lowest degree of infestation, where insects were found in great dispersion. There were only 15 beech trees found which were greatly infested with the insects, their presence may nevertheless pose a threat to the viability of the remaining trees in the stand. Common beech is the dominant species in the tree stands in the park, and this may favour pest dispersal and further increase in their population. Thus, the monitoring of the stands and the removal of trees heavily infested with C. fagisuga should be initiated. Neighbouring trees resistant to infestation may become a valuable material for cloning and reintroduction in the future. The preservation of the seeds from these trees should also be considered.

 

Germain, J.-F. & Matile-Ferrero, D. 2006. [Comstockiella sabalis (Comstock), Crisicoccus pini (Kuwana), and Phenacoccus defectus Ferris, new scale insects for France (Hem., Diaspididae and Pseudococcidae).]. (In French.) Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de France 111(3): 395-401.

 

Germain, J.-F. & Matile-Ferrero, D. 2006a. [Comstockiella sabalis (Comstock), Crisicoccus pini (Kuwana) and Phenacoccus defectus Ferris, scales new to France (Hem., Diaspididae and Pseudococcidae).]. (In French.) Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de France 111(3): 395-401.

 

Gill, G. 2005. Spray programme effective against Florida red scale. Biosecurity 61: 17. Notes: In early 2004, the citrus pest Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum, was detected at Auckland City Council's Domain Nursery (New Zealand) following a chance discovery by a Landcare Research scientist. Subsequent investigations also uncovered the scale in both the tropical and temperate houses in the Auckland Domain. The infestation was linked to recent importations of Dracaena marginata, a popular indoor plant. Biosecurity New Zealand instituted containment procedures to prevent further spread of this scale, and conducted further surveys in the areas surrounding the infected site. These measures included a spray programme using chemicals with different modes of action and targeting both the mobile crawler and the immobile stages of the scale. Subsequent examinations showed that these treatments were effective with no live scale being detected. The affected site was placed under a Restricted Place Notice, preventing the removal of risk material without appropriate measures being taken. In conjunction with the containment procedures, Biosecurity New Zealand prepared and distributed a fact sheet to members of the Nursery and Garden Industry Association. This initiative resulted in the detection of Florida red scale on several Dracaena plants in retail nurseries. These plants were treated with insecticide to kill any scale that were present and then destroyed. In light of the risk posed by Florida red scale on imported Dracaena, Biosecurity New Zealand amended the Nursery Stock Import Health Standard to prevent further incursions of this pest. The management of the scale infestation was then transferred to the Auckland City Council which has continued the application of systemic insecticides to target any scale that may be living in areas not readily accessible by conventional sprays. To date, Biosecurity New Zealand's on-going surveillance at the site has not detected any live scales.

 

Gomez, Y.Z. 2006. [Ecological management of the hibiscus pink mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) in the educational complex "El Hatillo" - UNEFM, Falcon.]. (In Spanish with summary in English.) Croizatia 4(1-2): 1 pp. Notes: [Original title: Manejo ecologico de la cochinilla rosada de la cayena Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) en el complejo docente "El Hatillo" -UNEMF, Falcon.] The study was carried out in the gardens of the Educational Complex "El Hatillo", UNEFM, period January-December of the 2002, to evaluate the effect of radical prunings to the cayena plants (10-20cm of height) affected by the hibiscus pink mealybug Maconellicocus hirsutus (Green), in combination with the use of the natural enemies present in the area, by means of the immediate deposit of the cut material inside drums, which have been applied an adherent layer of 20cm in the internal and external faces of its superior border, in order to impede the exit of the apterous phases of the hibiscus pink mealybug and the associate ants, and to allow the exit of the natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) presents. 5 infestation levels were set for the cayena plants: healthy, light, medium, strong and very strong; before applying the treatment, the state of the total 112 plants were: 10.8% medium, 44.6% strong and 44.6% very strong. After applying the treatment in two opportunities (February 2002 and September 2002) it was possible to increase in 63.2% the presence of healthy plants, it increased to 13.3% the plants with light attacks and in 1.4% the plants with level of medium attack; on the other hand the plants with strong and very strong attacks diminished in 36.4% and 41.5%, respectively. Anagyrus, Apoanagyrus, Encyrtus, and Timberlakia were the more abundant parasitoids found in this study, while Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant was found in smaller number.

 

Goncalves, S.J.M.R., Isaias, R.M.S., Vale, F.H.A. & Fernandes, G.W. 2005. Sexual dimorphism of Pseudotectococcus rolliniae Hodgson & Goncalves 2004 (Hemiptera Coccoidea Eriococcidae) influences gall morphology on Rollinia laurifolia Schltdl. (Annonaceae). Tropical Zoology 18(2): 161-169. Notes: The male and female of Pseudotectococcus rolliniae Hodgson & Goncalves 2004 induce leaf galls on Rollinia laurifolia Schltdl. The galls occur in similar proportions but are morphologically distinct. This study recorded the occurrence and characterized both morphologically and morphometrically the galls on R. laurifolia. In addition, we evaluated the impact of galls induced by P. rolliniae males and females on the differentiation of the host plant leaf tissues. Galls induced by females were spherical, with an average volume of 36.5 mm SUP 3 (+/-16.9), whereas galls induced by males were conical with an average volume of 3.5 mm SUP 3 (+/-2.6). Most of the sampled leaves were galled (93.8%). The presence of more than 5 galls per leaf caused the leaf area to be reduced on average by 57.3% compared with ungalled leaves. Leaves with the majority of galls induced by females had a greater area reduction than leaves with the majority of galls induced by males. The reduction of leaf area was directly related to the translocation of photoassimilates to gall sites and their utilization for gall growth. The longer life cycle of the P. rolliniae female and its sessile habit may determine the higher differentiation of leaf tissues involved in the larger growth of these galls.

 

Gonzalez, C., Caceres, S., Gomez, M., Fernandez, M., Hernandez & D. & Tapia, J.L.R. 2005. Lepidosaphes gloverii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae): biological and ecological studies on citrus from Cuba. [Lepidosaphes gloverii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), estudios biologicos y ecologicos en citricos de Cuba.]. (In Spanish with summary in English.) Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina 64(1/2): 26-28. Notes: The spatial and temporal distribution of Lepidosaphes gloverii (Pack.) and its natural enemies were studied on Valencia orange in Cuba. Shoots were examined at each cardinal point in three strata of the trees. L. gloverii developmental stages were counted on both upper and lower leaf surfaces and the incidence of biological agents was registered. The biology of L. gloverii was studied on citrus nursery of Persian lime, Eureka lemon and Valencia orange. A complex of parasitoids, predators and pathogens was found, which differed among microhabitats. Populations were aggregated, and densities were higher at the northwest of the grove, at the north of the tree, in the middle part of a shoot and on the upper leaf surface.

 

Gonzalez-Hernandez, H., Pandey, R.R. & Johnson, M.W. 2005. Biological characteristics of adult Anagyrus ananatis Gahan (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Biological Control 35(2): 93-103. Notes: The encyrtid Anagyrus ananatis Gahan preferred to parasitize adult females of pink pineapple mealybug (PPM), Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), compared to gray pineapple mealybug (GPM), Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley. When given a choice of PPM life stages, adult female PPM were preferred. Over its adult life, A. ananatis parasitized 27.7 (+/-2.5) mealybugs, with a range of 11-51 parasitized mealybugs. Development (eggs to adult) required 23.3 (+/-0.6) and 21.2 (+/-0.8) days for females and males, respectively, at 26(deg)C. Adult females had a mean longevity of 9.8 (+/-2.0) days, while males lived for a mean of 10.8 (+/-0.6) days at 26(deg)C when only provided a 50% honey-water solution. Adult longevity increased to greater than 26 days when pure honey and water were provided. Parasitoid adults allowed access to honey lived almost sixfold longer than those denied honey. Pure honey increased mean adult longevity almost 90 and 40% compared to water only or diluted honey concentrations, respectively. Starvation significantly reduced parasitoid survival and longevity with 52% of test individuals dying after being deprived honey and water for 48 h. A. ananatis only parasitized PPM during photophase. A. ananatis parasitized significantly more mealybug hosts as PPM densities increased from 1 to 10 individuals per experimental unit, but then plateaued at densities above 10 individuals.

 

Gounari, S. 2006. Studies on the phenology of Marchalina hellenica (gen.) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea, Margarodidae) in relation to honeydew flow. Journal of apicultural research 45(1): 8-12. Notes: Pine honey is produced widely in Greece and Turkey and represents almost 60-65% of the annual honey production in Greece. It is made from the honeydew eliminated by the scale insect Marchalina hellenica when feeding on Pinus halepensis (allepo pine) and P. brutia (calabrian pine). M. hellenica has one generation a year, with the adult females appearing on trees at the end of March or in April, depending on temperatures in February and March. Female M. hellenica have 3 nymphal instars, but the adult females have no mouthparts and do not feed. There are 3 periods of honeydew production which can exploited by bees: in early spring, coinciding with the spring feeding period of the third instar (which can last from 20 to 40 days depending on weather conditions); in August and September when the late 1st instar nymphs are feeding; and in October and November when the second instars are feeding and which can last from 15 to 30 days. Although honeydew appears in small quantities from the end of June, it does not become sufficient for exploitation until early autumn. The 3 periods of moult coincide with 3 periods of reduced honeydew production. In recent years the quantity of honeydew has become unreliable, causing concern to beekeepers. The reasons for this unreliability are unknown. The present paper presents almost 3 years of data on the phenology of M. hellenica, with observations on the production of honeydew at each stage of development.

 

Grafton-Cardwell, E.E. 2006. New developments in the San Joaquin Valley California citrus IPM program. Bulletin OILB/SROP (Sect. Reg. Ouest Palearctique) 29(3): 5-14. Notes: [International Conference on Integrated Control in Citrus Fruit Crops. Proceedings of the meeting of the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants, West Palearctic Regional Section (IOBC/WPRS) Working Group, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 September 2005.] The majority of citrus, primarily Navels and Valencias for fresh market, is now grown in the central San Joaquin Valley of California, USA. In the late 1990s, a number of new insecticides (pyrethroids, insect growth regulators, neonicotinoids, and fermentation products) were registered for control of citrus pests. These insecticides have improved worker safety, reduced environmental effects, and improved the survival of some natural enemies by greatly reducing organophosphate and carbamate usage. There are, however, some problems with integrating these new insecticides into the California citrus pest management programme. Firstly, the two most commonly used insecticides, pyriproxyfen for California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii) control and spinosad for citrus thrips (Scirtothrips citri) control, are highly selective for these two pests. Secondly, many of the new insecticides are toxic to the predatory vedalia beetle (Rodolia cardinalis). Thus, cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi) problems have increased. Finally, exotic pests continue to invade the region, for example, glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata), citrus peelminer (Marmara gulosa) and citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella). These pests require the development of management tactics that must be integrated into the existing IPM programme. The use of more selective insecticides, the toxicity of new insecticides to coccinellids, and the invasion of new pests has increased the complexity of the IPM programme for San Joaquin Valley citrus.

 

Grafton-Cardwell, E.E, Lee, J.E., Stewart, J.R. & Olsen, K.D. 2006. Role of two insect growth regulators in integrated pest management of citrus scales. Journal of Economic Entomology 99(3): 733-744. Notes: Portions of two commercial citrus orchards were treated for two consecutive years with buprofezin or three consecutive years with pyriproxyfen in a replicated plot design to determine the long-term impact of these insect growth regulators (IGRs) on the San Joaquin Valley California integrated pest management program. Pyriproxyfen reduced the target pest, California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii Maskell, to nondetectable levels on leaf samples 4 mo after treatment. Pyriproxyfen treatments reduced the California red scale parasitoid Aphytis melinus DeBach to a greater extent than the parasitoid Comperiella bifasciata Howard collected on sticky cards. Treatments of lemons Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. infested with scale parasitized by A. melinus showed only 33% direct mortality of the parasitoid, suggesting the population reduction observed on sticky cards was due to low host density. Three years of pyriproxyfen treatments did not maintain citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana), below the treatment threshold and cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell, was slowly but incompletely controlled. Buprofezin reduced California red scale to very low but detectable levels 5 mo after treatment. Buprofezin treatments resulted in similar levels of reduction of the two parasitoids A. melinus and C. bifasciata collected on sticky cards. Treatments of lemons infested with scale parasitized by A. melinus showed only 7% mortality of the parasitoids, suggesting the population reduction observed on sticky cards was due to low host density. Citricola scale was not present in this orchard, and cottony cushion scale was slowly and incompletely controlled by buprofezin. These field plots demonstrated that IGRs can act as organophosphate insecticide replacements for California red scale control; however, their narrower spectrum of activity and disruption of coccinellid beetles can allow other scale species to attain primary pest status.

 

Grout, T.G. & Stephen, P.R. 2005. Use of an inexpensive technique to compare systemic insecticides applied through drip irrigation systems in citrus. African Entomology 13(2): 353-358. Notes: Throughout the world, farmers are increasingly adopting the use of drip irrigation. As the quality and automation of these irrigation systems improves, the feasibility of using them to apply plant protection products, growth regulators and nutrients also increases. An inexpensive means of evaluating such systemic products in a randomized block layout is described and its use demonstrated in evaluating drip applications of imidacloprid, methamidophos, monocrotophos, acephate and dimethoate in a 'Marsh' grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) orchard in Swaziland. Efficacy was tested against Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), Scirtothrips aurantii Faure and various species of mealybug (Pseudococcidae). Imidacloprid and dimethoate proved the most promising systemic treatments, but usage of dimethoate on citrus trees with fruit destined for export to the European Union has now been restricted by the recent lowering of maximum residue limits for dimethoate. The sequential application of imidacloprid (2.1 g [AI] per tree) via drip followed by a petal-fall spray of spinosad (0.0072% [AI]) plus horticultural mineral oil (0.3%) was more effective against S. aurantii, but less efficacious against mealybugs, than dimethoate (36 g [AI] per tree) via drip followed by spinosad plus oil (dosages as above) applied at the same times.

 

Guerrieri, E. 2006. Description of Metaphycus stephaniae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Chlacidoidea, Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of Stotzia ephedrae (Newstead) (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Coccidae). Journal of Natural History 49(13-14: 863-865. Notes: A new species belonging to the genus Metaphycus is described. M. stephaniae sp. nov. has been reared from Stotzia ephedrae (Newstead) collected in Israel on Ephedra alte C. A. Mey and on Asparagus aphyllus L. The new species is compared with its closest relatives, M. hodzhevanishvilii and M. zebratus.

 

Gullan, P.J., Giliomee, J.H., Hodgson, C.J. & Cook, L.G. 2006. The systematics and biology of the South African gall-inducing scale insect, Calycicoccus merwei Brain (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae). African Entomology 14(1): 13-33. Notes: The scale insect genus Calycicoccus Brain has a single described species, C. merwei Brain, which is endemic to southeastern South Africa. Females of C. merwei induce small, mostly conical galls on the foliage of their host tree, Apodytes dimidiata E. Meyer ex Arn. (Icacinaceae), which has a wider, mostly coastal distribution, than that currently known for the scale insect. Calycicoccus has been placed in the family Eriococcidae and may be related to the South American genus Aculeococcus Lepage. No other native eriococcid species have been described so far in South Africa, although the family is diverse in other Gondwanan regions. This paper summarizes the biology of C. merwei, redescribes the adult female, describes the adult male, the second-instar female and the first-instar nymphs for the first time, and reconsiders the phylogenetic relationships of the genus. The adult female is shown to have unusual abdominal segmentation, in that segment I is present both dorsally and ventrally, but a segment is absent ventrally on the middle abdomen. First-instar nymphs are sexually dimorphic; males have a larger and relatively narrower body, larger mouthparts, longer antennae and legs, and more thoracic dorsal setae compared with females. Molecular data from nuclear small-subunit ribosomal DNA (18S) and elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) show C. merwei to have no close relatives among the Eriococcidae sampled to date. Instead, the Calycicoccus lineage is part of a polytomy near the base of the Eriococcidae. Molecular dating of the node suggests that the Calycicoccus lineage diverged from other eriococcids more than 100 Mya. These data support the placement of Calycicoccus as the only genus in the subfamily Calycicoccinae Brain.

 

Guo, J.H., Yan, F.J. & Fa, Y.L. 2005. [Life-cycle of Matsucoccus matsumurae in Rizhao area.]. (In Chinese.) Zhongguo Senlin Bingchong 24(5): 17-19.

 

Gupta, P.R. 2005. Biological control of San Jose scale in India - an overview. Acta Horticulturae 696: 427-432. Notes: [Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics, (Chauhan, J.S., Sharma, S.D., Sharma, R.C., Rehalia, A.S. & Kumar, K.) Nauni, Solan, India, 14-18 October, 2003.] An overview is presented on: the biological characteristics of the natural enemies of San Jose scale (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus [Diaspidiotus perniciosus]) exploited for biological control, i.e. the use of parasitoids and predators; parasitoids versus predators; and harmful effects of pesticides on biological control agents.

 

Gupta, K., Bhalla, S., Lata Kapur, M., Lal, B., Singh, C., Baloda, R.S., Meenakshi Kumar, N. & Singh, N. 2005. Insect pests intercepted during quarantine processing of exotic planting material in 2003. Indian Journal of Plant Protection 33(1): 51-54. Notes: Quarantine examination of 1, 42, 170 exotic samples of various crops during 2003 revealed that 621 samples were found infested with insect and mite pests including 134 with hidden infestation. Interceptions made during visual examination include: Araecerus sp. in Zea mays from USA; Rhizopertha dominica in Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare from Australia and ICARDA (Syria); Sitophilus zeamais in Zea mays from USA; Sitotroga cerealella in Oryza sativa from Nepal; staphylinid beetle in Mentha sp. from Japan; scale insects in Mangifera spp. and Cornus mas cuttings and mites in vegetative material of Salix alba and Mentha sp. from Belgium and Japan, respectively. Pests detected by X-ray radiography techniques include: Acanthoscelides obtectus in Phaseolus vulgaris, from Colombia; Bruchidius sp. in Trifolium alexandrinum from Egypt, B. atrolineatus in Vigna unguiculata from Nigeria, Bruchus dentipes in Vicia faba from ICARDA (Syria); B. pisorum in Pisum sativum from Bulgaria and Eritrea, B. lentil in Lens culinaris from Syria, B. atrolineatus, Callosobruchus analis, C. chinensis and C. maculates in V. unguiculata from Nigeria and C. chinensis in V. faba from Eritrea. All the infested samples were salvaged mechanically or by using suitable treatments.

 

Gurkan, B. 2005. Studies on life cycle characteristics of Marchalina hellenica Genn. (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) in areas with different altitudes. (In English with summary in TURK.) Mellifera 5(9): 2-6, 34-38.

 

Gwiazdowski, R.A., Van Driesche, R.G., Desnoyers, A., Lyon, S., Wu, S.A., Kamata, N. & Normark, B.B. 2006. Possible geographic origin of beech scale, Cryptococcus fagisuga (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), an invasive pest in North America. Biological Control: Theory and Applications in Pest Management 39(1): 9-18. Notes: Beech scale, Cryptococcus fagisuga Lindinger, is invasive in North America. The immediate source of the introduction was Europe, but its native range may be different. Knowledge of the native range is useful when searching for coevolved natural enemies for classical biological control. We report results of a search for the native range of C. fagisuga, using historical records, field surveys, and molecular phylogenetics. Beech scale feeds exclusively on beech. We review historical accounts of movement of species of Fagus between Europe, Asia, and North America and report on extensive surveys for C. fagisuga on Fagus species in China and Japan. We undertook a phylogeographic study of C. fagisuga throughout its known range using sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI). We also investigated the phylogenetic relationships of C. fagisuga to other species of Cryptococcus and related species in the Eriococcidae, using ribosomal DNA (18S). For COI sequences within C. fagisuga, we found one widespread, most-common haplotype in North America, Europe, Turkey, and Georgia; a diversity of slightly (0.1-0.5%) divergent haplotypes in Bulgaria; a diversity of moderately (2.2-2.8%) divergent haplotypes in Georgia and Turkey; and a highly (3.6-4.2%) divergent group of haplotypes in Iran. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S places C. fagisuga within a cosmopolitan clade of eriococcids feeding on other temperate trees (ash, maple, and southern beech). Based on the phylogeographic study, we suggest that the subspecies F. sylvatica orientalis is the native host of C. fagisuga and that natural enemies are best sought on oriental beech in northeastern Greece, the Black Sea drainage basin, the Caucasus Mountains, and northern Iran.

 

Hall, D.G., Konstantinov, A.S., Hodges, G.S., Sosa, O., Welbourn, C. & Westcott, R.L. 2005. Insects and mites new to Florida sugarcane. Journal (American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists) 25(143-156. Notes: The number of insect and mite species attacking sugarcane in Florida (USA) has increased in recent years. Five pest species were newly discovered during the 31-year period, 1964-95. These included one species indigenous to Florida having no previous association with sugarcane and four invasive species new to the Everglades Agricultural Area where sugarcane is grown. Reported here are six species that were discovered for the first time infesting Florida sugarcane during the 8-year period, 1995-2003. They included: an armored scale, Duplachionaspis divergens (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and the pink sugarcane mealybug, Saccharicoccus sacchari (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Duplachionaspis divergens and O. grypus were found infesting sugarcane in greenhouses.

 

Hansen, J.D., Heidt, M.L., Neven, L.G., Mielke, E.A., Bai, J., Chen, P.M. & Spotts, R.A. 2006. Effect of high-pressure hot-water washing treatment on fruit quality, insects, and disease in apples and pears. Part III. Use of silicone-based materials and mechanical methods to eliminate surface pests. Postharvest Biology and Technology 40(3): 221-229. Notes: Surface arthropods on pome fruits can cause export problems and disrupt commercial markets. Eliminating insects and mites on the packing line would be the last opportunity to provide for pest-free produce. In this study, an experimental packing line was used to evaluate techniques using different surfactant baths, pressurized water sprays, and styles of rotating brushes to remove field-collected and laboratory-reared grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), the diapausing two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausman) (Homoptera: Aphididae). The organosilicone Silwet L-77 was no more effective than a silicone-based food grade defoamer in aiding removal. Mechanical methods, such as the style of rotating brushes and pressurized sprays, were significantly effective in removing surface arthropods. No improvement in removal occurred when pressure was increased beyond 420kPa. These techniques can be easily adapted to commercial facilities and will reduce the incidence of surface arthropods on marketed fresh fruits.

 

Harris, K.M. & van Harten, A. 2006. Records of predaceous Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) on mealybugs (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) in Yemen. (In Arabic with summary in English.) Fauna of Arabia 21: 351-356.

 

Hatami, B., Mirlohi, A.F. & Sabzalian, M.R. 2006. The effect of endophytic fungi of tall and meadow fescues on biological control of mealybug (Phenococcus solani Ferris, Hom.: Pseudococcidae). (In Persian with summary in English.) Journal of Science and Technology of Agriculture and Natural Resources 10(2): 269-277. Notes: Endophytic fungi, Neotyphodium spp., symbiotically infect host grasses, Fescue arundinacea [Festuca arundinacea] and F. pratensis [Festuca pratensis], and mealybug Phenococcus solani [Phenacoccus solani] attacks some forage plants. To evaluate the role of these fungi to control this pest, four genotypes of F. arundinacea and two genotypes of F. pratensis were used. Plant tillers were split into two sections, one section of which was freed from the endophyte using a fungicide mixture. The mixture contained 2 g of active ingredients of propiconazole and 1 ml of Folicur [tebuconazole]/l of water. New tillers from endophyte-infected and endophyte-free plants were transferred into the field. The number of mealybugs was measured after the first visible sign of infestation on roots. To count mealybugs, one plant hill of each plot was randomly selected. Hay yield of each plot was measured by clipping the plants 5 cm above ground level. Correlation of hay yield and other growth characteristics with the number of mealybugs on roots as an index for mealybug damage on infested plants was determined. The results indicated that the endophyte-free plants were highly infested with P. solani compared with the endophyte-infected plants that were completely free of P. solani. Correlation coefficients showed that there was a significant negative correlation between forage yield and mealybug numbers, indicating mealybug damage on infested plants. It seems that the endophytic fungi are effective biological control factors for some root-feeding pest such as P. solani.

 

Henderson, R.C. 2006. Four new species and a new monotypic genus Hoheriococcus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) associated with plant galls in New Zealand. New Zealand Entomologist 29: 37-57. Notes: Four new species and a new genus of felt scale insects (Eriococcidae) are described for New Zealand: Hoheriococcus fionae gen. et sp. nov. on Hoheriaspp.; Eriococcus aconeae sp. nov. on Pittosporum eugenioides; Eriococcus parsonsiae sp. nov. on Parsonsia spp.; Stegococcus flagellatus sp. nov. on Olearia bullata and O. divaricata. Eriococcus elytranthae Hoy is redescribed. Hoheriococcus fionae has the first recorded sexually dimorphic galls in New Zealand.

 

Henderson, R.C. & Martin, N.A. 2006. Review of the gall-inducing scale insects of New Zealand (Hemiptera: Coccoidea), with a guide to field identification. New Zealand Entomologist 29: 59-75. Notes: Some species of scale insects induce distinctive galls on their host plants. This can make field identification relatively easy, avoiding laborious slide-mounting and specialist identification. Thirteen species of felt scales (Eriococcidae), four species of armoured scales (Diaspididae) and two soft scale species (Coccidae) inhabit galls in New Zealand. Photographs are provided for the galls of 12 species of eriococcids, three diaspidids and two coccids. A table is provided for field identification.

 

Henk, D.A. 2005. New species of Septobasidium from southern Costa Rica and the southeastern United States. Mycologia 97(4): 908-913. Notes: New species are described in Septobasidium, a genus of urediniomycete parasites on scale insects. One new species, S. gomezii, is described from Costa Rica, and another, S. meredithiae, is described from Louisiana. S. gomezii is most similar to S. septobasidioides, but macroscopic and microscopic differences support it being a distinct species. S. meredithiae is similar to S. alni and S. castaneum but differs from these species in several macroscopic and microscopic characters, especially when the species are observed on the same host tree and insect species. Another species collected only once in Costa Rica is listed with observations but it is not formally described here. This Septobasidium species shares some key characteristics with S. ramorum but combines a dense, compact, nearly black thallus and pigmented probasidia-like structures with spindle-shaped haustoria. Implications for taxonomy, morphological evolution and host specificity in Septobasidium are discussed.

 

Hernandez-Hernandez, F. de la Cruz, de Munoz, F.G., Duenas, I. del Rio & Mendoza, H.L. 2005. [The cochineal insect - Mexican colour for the world.]  La cochinilla fina del nopal, colorante mexicano para el mundo. (In Spanish.) Ciencia (Mexico City) 56(4): 78-86. Notes: Species of Dactylopius (Coccoidea) are discussed.

 

Hernandez Mansilla, A.A., Roson Alvarez, C., Daquinta Rico, C. & Trujillo Morgado, R. 2005. [In vitro evaluation of Aschersonia aleyrodids Webber pathogenicity on some pest insects with economic importance.] Evaluación in vitro de la patogenicidad de Aschersonia aleyrodids Webber sobre algunos insectos plaga de interés económico. (In Spanish with summary in English.) Fitosanidad 9(4): 29-34. Notes: A study was conducted in Cuba to investigate the pathogenicity of Aschersonia aleyrodids on Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, Toxoptera aurantii and Pseudococcus nipae. Test insects were collected from tomato, citrus and guava. These insects were inoculated with fungal suspensions of 1.4x10 SUP 9 spores/ml. M. persicae and Aphis gossypii showed the highest mortality (80 and 82-84%, respectively). The mortality of P. nipae and T. aurantii reached 40 and 7%, respectively.

 

Hickel, E.R. & Schuck, E. 2005. [Immersion time of cysts in methidathion solution to control ground-pearl Eurhizococcus brasiliensis.] Tempo de imersão de cistos em solucao de meridatiom para contrôle da perola-da-terra, Eurhizococcus brasiliensis. (In Portuguese with summary in English.) Agropecuaria Catarinense 18(2): 93-95. Notes: The root immersion of grapevine seedlings in insecticide solution is a preplanting technique recommended to control some eventual infestation of groundpearl, Eurhizococcus brasiliensis. However, the minimum time in order to get 100% of insect mortality as well as the eventual insect protection against insecticide in clods must be determined. Clean and encrusted cysts of groundpearl were immersed for 0, 1, 10, 60 and 120 seconds in a 0.08% a.i. methidathion solution. Encrusted cysts in fungal coat were used to simulate the clod protection against insecticide. Each experimental unit, replicated three times, had 20 clean cysts or almost 10 encrusted cysts. The number of dead cysts was recorded in 15- or 20-day intervals. The percentage of insect mortality was proportional to the immersion time in insecticide solution and the time of 120 seconds resulted in 100% mortality, for both clean and encrusted cysts. Therefore, 120 seconds is the minimum time for grapevine root immersion in methidathion solution in order to control 100% of ground pearl infestation.

 

Hill, M.G., Mauchline, N.A., Cate, L.R. & Connolly, P.G. 2005. A technique for measuring growth rate and survival of armoured scale insects. New Zealand Plant Protection 58: 288-293. Notes: [Proceedings of a conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 9-11 August 2005.] A method for measuring the size and growth rate of armoured scale insects using digital image analysis is described. It was used in a preliminary experiment that demonstrated between-plant differences in the growth rate of armoured scale insects on kiwifruit leaves. It also allowed the timing and extent of mortality factors to be measured accurately. Heavy predation of armoured scale insects on kiwifruit leaves, probably caused by earwigs, was observed for the first time. The development of this technique as a tool for both ecological studies of scale insect, and in measuring the relative resistance of kiwifruit germplasm to armoured scale insects is discussed.

 

Hodges, A. & Hodges, G. 2006. Pink hibiscus mealybug identification. Plant Health Progress 1-7. Notes: This paper focuses on the key morphological characters that can be used for the proper identification of the pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus). Information about the insect's primary economic hosts, signs of damage, taxonomy and geographical distribution is provided. A key of slide-mounted specimens of common scales confused with pink hibiscus mealybug in Florida, USA is also given.

 

Hodgson, C. & Foldi, I. 2006. A review of the Margarodidae sensu Morrison (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and some related taxa based on the morphology of adult males. Zootaxa 1263: 1-250. Notes: This paper outlines the history of the family name Margarodidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and of the higher classification within Margarodidae sensu Morrison, and reviews the use of males in diagnosing the higher taxonomy witin this group. An overview of the general morphology of adult males is provided as an introduction to the terms and structures used in the descriptive section that follows. The adult males of 31 species of Coccoidea are described, covering all the families in Margarodidae sensu Morrison plus some additional taxa which have either been included in Margarodidae sensu lato in the past or which show close affinities to it. Based on the structure of the adult males described here and also on an earlier cladistic analyses, these 31 taxa are divided into three groups: Ortheziidae (containing just ortheziids), a group here referred to as "margarodoid taxa" (which includes all the taxa in Margarodidae sensu Morrison (1928) except Steingelia; this group includes the following nine families: Matsucoccidae, Margarodidae, Xylococcidae; Stigmacoccidae fam. nov.; Kuwaniidae; Callipappidae; Marchalinidae; Monophlebidae and Coelostomidiidae); and a third group referred to here as "non-margarodoid taxa", which includes the remaining taxa considered in this paper (Steingelia, Stomacoccus, Phenacoleachia, Puto and Pityococcus). The present higher taxonomic status of each taxon is summarised in a Table and a key to identify each family based on adult male morphology is included; this key also diagnoses the above three groups based on adult male characters. Keys are also provided under each family to identify the species described herein.

 

Hodgson, C. & Gounari, S. 2006. Morphology of Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Marchalinidae) from Greece, with a discussion on the identity of M. caucasica Hadzibeyli from the Caucasus. Zootaxa 1196: 1-32. Notes: The morphology of the adult female, 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-instar female nymphs, plus the pupa (4th-instar male) and apterous adult male of M. hellenica (Gennadius), are described and illustrated, along with the prepupa (3rd-instar male) of M. caucasica Hadzibeyli. A key is provided to separate these stages. The adult female and 3rd-instar female of M. caucasica were also seen and considered to be identical with the same stages of M. hellenica. The morphology of the other stages of M. caucasica (as described by Hadzibeyli) are compared with those of M. hellenica described here and it is noted that there are some possibly significant differences in the 2nd- instar and apterous adult males. In addition, the known biology of these two species is also discussed and it is concluded that, despite the similarities of the adult females, these populations could still represent two separate species. A key is provided to separate the adult females of margarodoids on pines in the eastern Mediterranean.

 

Hodgson, C.J. & Martin, J.H. 2005. Fistulococcus, a new genus of soft scale insect (Sternorrhyncha, Coccidae) proposed for two new species from Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea. Zootaxa 1075: 1-40. Notes: A new genus, Fistulococcus Hodgson & Martin, is introduced to accommodate two new species of soft scale insects. All stages of the type species of F. pokfulamensis except the pupa are described from Gnetum luofuense (Gnetaceae) in Hong Kong. All female stages, and the second-instar male, are described for F. intsiae from Intsia bijuga (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) in Papua New Guinea. The structure of the dorsal chambered ducts is discussed in relation to the types of wax secreted. The relationship of Coccidae with plants in the Gymnospermae is discussed, as part of the account of F. pokfulamensis.

 

Hogendorp, B.K., Cloyd, R.A. & Swiader, J.M. 2006. Effect of nitrogen fertility on reproduction and development of citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri Risso (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), feeding on two colors of Coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioides L. Codd. Environmental Entomology 35(2): 201-211. Notes: The effects of nitrogen concentration on the reproduction and development of citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri, were studied on two colors of coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioides. Green and red-variegated coleus plants were supplied with varying applied nitrogen concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm) for 32 d before being artificially inoculated with citrus mealybugs. Female citrus mealybug life history parameters including eggs contained within the egg mass and respective body cavity, body length (mm), and developmental time (d) were measured. A modified micro-Kjeldahl digestion procedure followed by colormetric assay was conducted twice throughout the study to assess leaf nitrogen concentration. The results of this study show that the citrus mealybug life history parameters were influenced by the applied nitrogen concentrations (ppm), leaf nitrogen concentration (%), and total moisture content (g). Citrus mealybugs feeding on both green and red-variegated coleus, receiving the high nitrogen fertilizer concentrations (200 and 400 ppm) had the greatest egg loads, were larger in size, and had the shortest developmental times. Leaf nitrogen concentration also affected the citrus mealybug life history parameters with those mealybugs feeding on plants containing the highest leaf nitrogen contents having the greatest egg loads, larger in size, and the shortest developmental times. In addition, total plant moisture content impacted the citrus mealybug life history parameters similar to leaf nitrogen concentration. However, this was based on plant architecture whereas percent plant moisture content for both green- and red-variegated coleus was comparatively similar for all nitrogen concentrations. The life history parameters measured were more pronounced on green coleus compared with red-variegated coleus, perhaps because of nitrogen allocation differences between the two coleus colors. Thus, higher nitrogen concentrations, in the form of supplemental fertilizers used in greenhouse production systems, leads to an increase in the performance of citrus mealybugs as defined by increased egg loads, larger mature females, and shorter developmental times on coleus plants. These results indicate that the implementation of proper fertilizer practices may lessen the likelihood of dealing with extensive insect outbreaks, thus potentially reducing insecticide use.

 

Hollingsworth, R.G. 2005. Limonene, a citrus extract, for control of mealybugs and scale insects. Journal of Economic Entomology 98(3): 772-779. Notes: In a series of bioassays with mealybugs, aqueous solutions of 1% limonene were tested that used from 0.50 to 1.50% all purpose spray adjuvant (APSA)-80 as an emulsifier/surfactant. The two ingredients were added to water or to 0.1% Silwet L-77, an agricultural surfactant. Using 1% limonene, 0.75% all purpose spray adjuvant (APSA)-80 and 0.1% Silwet L-77, a semitransparent mixture (primarily a microemulsion) was obtained that was safe for most plants and provided good control of mealybugs when sprayed or used in 1-min dips. Used at half strength, this mixture controlled approx. 99% of whiteflies, whereas the full-strength mixture controlled from 69 to 100% of mealybugs and scales, including approx. 93% control of root mealybugs. In side-by-side greenhouse tests, this mixture was superior to a 2% solution of insecticidal soap or a 2% solution of horticultural spray oil. Mortality of green scales on potted gardenia plants averaged 95, 89, and 88% on plants sprayed with liminene, insecticidal soap, or horticultural oil, respectively. In a related test, these same sprays killed 44.1, 22.7, or 12.5% of third and fourth instar clustering mealybugs, respectively. Limonene has promise as a safe, natural pesticide for insect pests on tolerant plants. Although 1% limonene solutions damaged certain species of ferns, gingers and delicate flowers, they caused no damage to ornamentals with thick, waxy leaves, such as palms, cycads and orchids. Among the species tested were Chrysomphalus aonidum, Coccus viridis, Nipaecoccus nipae, Planococcus citri, Pseudococcus longispinus, and Rhizoecus spp.

 

Howard, F.W., Hodges, G.S. & Gates, M.W. 2006. First report of Conchaspis cordiae (Hemiptera: Conchaspididae) in Florida and the United States. Florida Entomologist 89(1): 102-104. Notes: Conchaspis cordiae Mamet (Hemiptera: Conchaspididae) is reported for the first time in Florida and the Continental U.S. and found to be widely distributed in the urban areas of southeastern Florida. West Indies mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) and a mahogany hybrid (S. macrophylla x S. mahagoni) apparently are preferred hosts. Honduras mahogany (S. macrophylla) and African mahogany (Khaya nyasica) were marginal hosts Marietta sp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was identified as a parasitoid of this species.

 

Hu, Y.H., Huang, Z.Y., Cui, L.K., Chen, S.L. & Liu, X. 2006. [A study on control effect of field test on Hemiberlesia pitysophila Takagi.]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis 28(3): 364-367. Notes: Field experiments were conducted in Luoyang, China, to study the control effects of 6 compound pesticides on Hemiberlesia pitysophila in a forest environment. Results showed that all the tested pesticides were effective in controlling H. pitysophila. Applied singularly, chlorpyrifos mixed with methidathion at a ratio of 11:25 had a satisfactory control effect and a continuous effect at the concentration of 400-800 in a forest environment. Chlorpyrifos mixed with buprofezin at the ratio of 11:20, at the concentration of 400-800, and acetamiprid mixed with imidacloprid at the ratio of 1:1 at the concentration 1:3000 had relatively high control effect.

 

Huang, B.H. 2006. Biological characteristics of Didesmococcus koreanus. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Chinese Bulletin of Entomology 43(1): 108-111. Notes: Field observation and periodic sampling of Didesmococcus koreanus in a plum orchard in Anhui, China during 2003 revealed the occurrence of one generation per year. The second nymphal stage overwintered on brush and resumed its activity in March of the following year. Adults were observed from April to May. Eggs began to hatch between the first 10 days of June and mid-July. D. koreanus caused damages on trees mainly at the stages of sessile nymphs and adult females. Natural enemies were shown to have a high capability of controlling this pest.

 

Huang, Z.Y., Chen, S.L. & Lin, Q.Y. 2005. [The experiment of using compound insecticides for Hemiberlesia pitysophila control.]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Journal of Fujian College of Forestry 25(1): 43-46. Notes: This study was conducted in China to investigate the use of 40% methidathion EC, 40% chlorpyrifos EC, 40% omethoate EC, 95% petroleum oil and 45% malathion EC in controlling Hemiberlesia pitysophila. Results showed that spraying with 40% methidathion EC (1:1000) + 40% chlorpyrifos EC (1:1000) + 40% omethoate EC (1:500) was the most effective treatment. Moreover, compared with using 40% methidathion EC, 40% chlorpyrifos EC and 40% omethoate EC alone, the compound was more effective and reached a control effect of over 90%.

 

Huang, B.H. & Wang, C.H. 2005. [The insecticide 30% Qiang-li-sha-jie for controlling Didesmococcus koreanus in plum orchards.]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Chinese Bulletin of Entomology 42(5): 575-577. Notes: The micro-emulsion of 30% Qiang-li-sha-jie (Force kill jie) was used for the control of D. koreanus in plum orchards in China. The solution diluted by 800 or 1200 times showed a control efficacy of more than 94.5% at 7 days after the use of the insecticide, exhibiting a high knock-down rate. After 14 days, the control efficacy was still more than 99%. The control efficacy of solutions diluted by 600, 800 and 1200 times did not significantly vary. Compared with 25% Jie-si-jing EC and 40% supracide EC, 30% Qiang-li-sha-jie was a good choice for the control of D. koreanus because of its rapid killing effect, long-duration control efficacy, greater safety and lower cost.

 

Huang, J., Wang, Z.H. & Lin, Q.Y. 2005. [Notes on two species of hyperparasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) of Hemiberlesia pitysophila (Homoptera: Diaspididae).]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Journal of Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University 34(2): 148-152. Notes: Marietta carnesi and Ablerus perspeciosus are hyperparasitoids of scale insects and Coccobius azumai. The morphology of these hyperparasitoids are redescribed, and the efficacy of both species for the biological control of H. pitysophila is briefly described. A. perspeciosus is reported for the first time as a hyperparasitoid of C. azumai in H. pitysophila.

 

Huang, L.C., Zhang, M.L., Song, X.M., Zhao, L. & Yang, Y. 2005. [The occurrence regulation of Pseudococcus comstocki in apple orchard.]. (In Chinese.) China Fruits 4: 32-34. Notes: Observations were conducted in an apple orchard with 15-year-old trees of Red Fuji cultivar, where all the fruit on the trees was bagged. The annual production usually was around 45 t/ha. In this orchard over 50% of the bagged fruit were usually infected with Pseudococcus comstocki. Observations revealed that its eggs were laid in trunk bark gaps (62% located near the root collar). The hibernated eggs incubated in late March till late April, then the nymphs attacked the tender tissue of the tree. The nymphs of the second generation started to enter the bags and attack the fruit. On rainy days, damage was exacerbated. Pseudococcus comstocki usually attacks the calyx part of the fruit and induces the formation of black spot, thus the fruit quality is severely damaged.

 

Huang, B.H., Zou, Y.D., Bi, S.D. & Gao, Z.L. 2005. [Artificial diet for adults of Chilocorus rubidus.]. (In Chinese with summary in English.) Journal of China Agricultural University 10(3): 4-9. Notes: Chilocorus rubidus was artificially fed with five types of diets. The mixture of grass carp, pig liver and Noctuidae larvae powder met the basic nutrient requirement of C. rubidus adults, where adults fed with the mixture had a high survival rate while the females had relatively low egg production. The adults fed on No. 3 and 5 diets preyed strongly on Didesmococcus koreanus. However, from 25 to 290 days, their preying capacities (1-31 head) decreased with increase in duration. The food-seeking efficiency of C. rubidus (0.3802-0.0717) declined with an increase in D. koreanus density (2-10 head).

 

Hubbard, J.L. & Potter, D.A. 2005. Life history and natural enemy associations of calico scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Kentucky. Journal of Economic Entomology 98(4): 1202-1212. Notes: Seasonal phenology of calico scale, Eulecanium cerasorum (Cockerell), was monitored for 3 yr on various deciduous tree species in central Kentucky. Infestations were found on 16 host species in six plant families. Calico scale is a univoltine parthenogenic species that overwinters as second instars on bark. Nymphs molted to adult females around mid-April and began producing eggs in late April. Mean fecundity ranged from 3,728 to 4,654 eggs per female, depending on host plant species. Date of first crawler hatch in 2001-2003 ranged from 21 to 26 May, corresponding to a mean accumulation of 818 +- 2 Celsius degree-days (DDC), calculated from 1 January and a base of 4.4 Degree C. This value predicted, crawler hatch within 2 d in Lexington, KY, in 2004. Crawler dispersal lasted 2 to 3 wk. Upon hatching, crawlers move to leaves where they feed during summer. Crawlers primarily settled on the abaxial side of leaves and their within-leaf distribution varied between different tree species. Settled crawlers molted in mid-July and second instars remained on leaves until late September through mid-October, when they returned to bark to overwinter. On hackberry, Celtis occidentalis L., they were concentrated toward the basal end of shoots, primarily because leaf flush continued beyond the end of the crawler dispersal period. Crawler distribution did not differ between upper and lower canopy zones. Fourteen species of parasitoids and a coccinellid beetle were reared from individual scales. Monitoring with sticky traps in tree canopies confirmed that targeting crawlers with insecticides during late May or June would not coincide with peak flight activity of the scale's primary parasitoids.

 

Hubbard, J.L. & Potter, D.A. 2006. Managing calico scale (Hemiptera: Coccidae) infestations on landscape trees. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 32(4): 138-147. Notes: Calico scale, Eulecanium cerasorum (Cockerell), an invasive pest of shade trees, has reached outbreak levels in landscapes and on horse farms in Kentucky, U.S. We evaluated efficacy and timing of conventional and reduced-risk foliar insecticides as well as trunk-injected or soil-applied systemics for managing E. cerasorum. Acephate, bifenthrin, carbaryl, cyfluthrin, and pyriproxyfen killed young settled crawlers on individually sprayed shoots. Whole-canopy pyrethroid sprays, however, gave < 66% control, underscoring the difficulty of reaching settled crawlers within large shade trees. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap were relatively ineffective even with full spray coverage. Preventive sprays with bifenthrin or pyriproxyfen in mid-May, at first egg hatch, intercepted crawlers before they settled on leaves. Dormant oil failed to control overwintered nymphs or reduce subsequent numbers of adults or crawlers. A plant antitranspirant applied in late March provided 33% suppression. Trunk-injected imidacloprid was ineffective, whereas dicrotophos (bidrin) gave at best < 50% control. Soil injection with imidacloprid in November, December, or March failed to reduce subsequent densities of adults on branches or crawlers on leaves. Reasons why it is difficult to eliminate calico scale in mature landscape trees are discussed in the context of the pest's feeding sites and behavior.

 

Jacas, J.-A., Urbaneja, A. & Vinuela, E. 2006. History and future of introduction of exotic arthropod biological control agents in Spain: a dilemma?. BioControl 5(1): 1-30. Notes: The first documented introduction of an exotic invertebrate biological control agent (IBCA) in Spain occurred in 1908. Sixty-four additional species have been introduced since then. Information, both previously recorded and original data, on the species introduced for pest control is summarized. Most of the introduced IBCAs focused on citrus pests and homopterans (including Diaspididae) clearly predominate among target phytophagous species. Success has been more frequent for IBCAs used in seasonal inoculative strategies (50.0% of cases) than in classical biological control programs (17.1% of cases). Concerns about potential non-target effects of such species are increasing, but post-release evaluation has often been insufficient to draw any conclusions about them. Most of the beneficial species introduced in Spain were parasitoids (n = 53), and the remaining species were predators (n = 12). Only four parasitoids are considered specialized monophagous natural enemies. The mean number of host species parasitized by parasitoids is 15.2, whereas the mean number of prey species attacked by predators is 21.2. Therefore, polyphagy appears to be quite common among the IBCAs that have been introduced in Spain. The rationale guiding many of these introductions in the past would not be acceptable nowadays. Since classical biological control is such a valuable strategy for pest control, straightforward protocols to evaluate exotic candidate species are urgently needed.

 

Jactel, H., Menassieu, P., Vetillard, F., Gaulier, A., Samalens, J.C. & Brockerhoff, E.G. 2006. Tree species diversity reduces the invasibility of maritime pine stands by the bast scale, Matsucoccus feytaudi (Homoptera: Margarodidae). (In English with summary in French.) Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36(2): 314-323. Notes: Species-rich plant communities may be more resistant to invasive herbivores because of reduced host-plant accessibility and increased natural enemy diversity and abundance. We tested these hypotheses in Corsica, a Mediterranean island recently invaded by the maritime pine bast scale, Matsucoccus feytaudi Duc., which causes widespread tree mortality in Pinus pinaster Ait. The endemic Matsucoccus pini Green infests Corsican pine, Pinus nigra laricio Poiret, where it is controlled by the native predatory bug, Elatophilus nigricornis Zetterstedt. As revealed by kairomone trapping, E. nigricornis was most abundant in pure Corsican pine in areas not yet colonized by M. feytaudi, and in pure maritime pine its density decreased with the distance from the nearest Corsican pine forest. The abundance of M. feytaudi was compared in five pairs of Pure maritime pine and mixed maritime and Corsican pine stands. It was consistently higher in pure than in mixed maritime pine stands, whereas E. nigricornis showed the opposite pattern, and relative differences were correlated with the proportion of Corsican pine in the Mixture. The predation by E. nigricornis was manipulated in pure maritime pine stands using synthetic attractants of the predator. Matsucoccus feytaudi density was significantly reduced in maritime pines baited with kairomone dispensers.

 

Jaiswal, A.K., Bhattacharya, A., Kumar, M. & Kumar, S. 2005. Evaluation of ethofenprox toxicity to male lac insect and its effect on broodlac yield. Shashpa 12(2): 114-116. Notes: A field experiment was conducted in Ranchi, Bihar, India, to evaluate the detrimental effect of ethofenprox [etofenprox] based on the time of application. The treatments comprised: 0.05; 004; 0.03; 0.02; 0.01; and 0.005% ethofenprox, applied on Schleichera oleosa trees inoculated with Kerria lacca. Ethofenprox was found to be a suitable insecticide for application in lac ecosystem as it manages all 3 major lac insect predators, i.e. Chrysopa sp., Eublemma amabilis and Pseudohypatopa pulverea, if applied at proper times. However, the application of this insecticide a day prior to the probable time of emergence of male lac insect causes toxicity, resulting in loss of brood value of the produce as most of the female insects remain unfertilized, thereby affecting the quality of the produce. There is a quantitative loss in the resin secreted by the unfertilized females which is approximately one-third of that secreted by fertilized female insects. The results suggest that ethofenprox should not be applied in lac culture either at the time of male emergence or near to that time.

 

Jaiswal, A.K. & Dwivedi, B.K. 2005. How to culture lac insect on tree of Butea monosperma (Palas/Dhak). New Agriculturist 16(1/2): 155-164. Notes: This paper describes each of the key steps in systematic lac cultivation using the scientific method: (1) pruning of host trees; (2) infestation (inoculation) of the host trees with lac insects; (3) removal of used up broodlac (lac insect seed; Kerria lacca) sticks; and (4) crop harvesting. The application of insecticides/fungicides for pest/disease control, grouping of trees, and other tips for proper maintenance of lac culture are also discussed. Tabulated data are presented on (1) the farmer's method and its disadvantages compared with the scientific method, and (2) the cost of cultivation and income generation from lac cultivation.

 

Japoshvili, G.O. & Noyes, J.S. 2005. Checklist and new data on Encyrtidae of Transcaucasia and Turkey (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Zoosystematica Rossica 14(1): 135-145. Notes: Distributional and host records are summarised for 307 species, belonging to 101 genera that are recorded from Transcaucasia and Turkey. Of these, 160 species are recorded from Georgia, 171 from Armenia, 145 from Azerbaijan and 111 from Turkey; 21 species are recorded for the first time from Georgia, 34 from Turkey and 3 from Azerbaijan; one species from Georgia (Discodes valentinae sp. n.) is described as new; Ericydnus aeneus Nikol'skaya is restored as a distinct species (not a synonym of E. robustior Mercet); four species are treated as junior synonyms (Callipteroma testacea Motschulsky = C. baglanensis Myartseva, Microterys bellae Trjapitzin = M. eulecanii Pilipjuk & Sugonjaev, Psyllaephagus elaeagni Trjapitzin = P. bachardenicus Myartseva = P. rubriscutellatus Myartseva); other possible synonyms are also discussed and 17 new host records are presented including Planchonia arabidis.

 

Jenser, G., Balazs, K., Marko, V. & Haltrich, A. 2006. Lessons of the changes in the arthropod population composition in the Hungarian apple orchard in the last six decades. Acta Phytopathologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 41(1/2): 165-176. Notes: About 2500 arthropod species immigrate, or carried by wind, or introduced by man in the orchards, under Hungarian climatic conditions. However, the number of the apple pest species is approximately 30. Owing to the effect of the relationships among the plant-phytophagous-zoophagous species those could colonize the orchard for which the apple provides suitable food sources and whose populations are not regulated or are regulated by a weak efficiency by parasitoids and predators. These populations create the primary pest communities. When the individual number of the parasitoid and predator species is reduced by the broad-spectrum insecticides, the population density of those phytophagous species could increase whose populations was restricted up to that time. In this case the secondary pest communities could develop. The integrated pest management provides the possibilities to solve the problems caused by the regular use of broad-spectrum insecticides. The real requirement is to find and to harmonize those methods which regulate the population dynamics of the species of the primary pest communities.

 

Jolivet, P. 2006. [François Cohic, entomologist (1921-1992).] François Cohic, entomologiste (1921-1992). (In French.) Nouvelle Revue d'Entomologie 23(1): 75-78. Notes: Biography of Francois Cohic (1921-1992).  

 

Junghwa Park, Gatewood, B.M. & Ramaswamy, G.N. 2005. Naturally occurring quinones and flavonoid dyes for wool: Insect feeding deterrents. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 98(1): 322-328. Notes: This study investigated the ability of natural dyes to impede the attack of black carpet beetles on wool. The dyes evaluated were naturally occurring quinines (cochineal, madder, and walnut) and flavonoids (chestnut, fustic, indigo, and logwood). All of the dyes, except indigo, were applied by using five mordanting agents (aluminum, chrome, copper, iron, and tin). Mordanting agents were used to bind natural dyes on wool. The insect resistance of the controls and dyed specimens was evaluated, following the fabric weight loss procedures in AATCC Test Method 24. All of the dyes, except indigo, increased the insect resistance of the wool fabric to attack by black carpet beetles. The wool specimens dyed with cochineal and madder, naturally occurring anthraquinone dyes, had the lowest fabric weight loss among eight natural dyes investigated. The flavonoid dyes were not effective in enhancing insect resistance. Alum, copper, and iron have no significant effect on enhancing or reducing insect resistance of any of the eight natural dyes used in this study. However, tin and chrome, when used as a mordant for cochineal, reduced the insect resistance dramatically. Surprisingly, tin improves the insect resistance of wool fabrics dyed with fustic dyes. The anthraquionones, including cochineal, madder, and walnut were found to be quite effective in protecting wool fabric against black carpet beetles. Thus, the naturally occurring mordant dyes provide an alternative to insecticides in protecting wool textiles from insect attack.

 

Kaneko, S. 2005. Abundances of five parasitoids attacking the scale insect Nipponaclerda biwakoensis on morphologically changed reed shoots due to damage by a stem-boring caterpillar. Ecological Research 20(5): 555-561. Notes: Abundances of the scale insect Nipponaclerda biwakoensis and its five parasitoids per shoot of the common reed, Phragmites australis, were compared between shoots damaged by a stem-boring caterpillar and undamaged shoots. Reed shoots that were damaged by the stem-borer in spring change morphologically during summer, inducing tillers from the nodes beneath the damaged part. The number of female scales per shoot did not differ significantly between damaged and undamaged shoots in the second scale generation (September), but was significantly lower on damaged shoots in the third generation (November). Three parasitoid species attacking the scale exhibited different responses to the shoot damage, with the response by each parasitoid being constant in the two scale generations: the parasitism rate by Aprostocetus sp. per shoot was higher on damaged shoots, whereas that by Astymachus japonicus was lower on damaged shoots, and no difference was detected for Boucekiella depressa. In the third scale generation the parasitism rate by Encyrtidae sp. 1 showed no difference, with respect to shoot damage, whereas that by Encyrtidae sp. 2 was lower on damaged shoots. In three dominant parasitoids, shoot damage had no effect on the number of emerging adults per host, and the sex ratio and body size of the adults. The number of emerging adults per shoot differed significantly between damaged and undamaged shoots for four parasitoids, except B. depressa. These results suggest that shoot damage by the stem-borer exerts a delayed negative impact on the scale numbers and affects the parasitism rate of the scales by three parasitoids and the emerging adult numbers of four parasitoids.

 

Kaneko, S. 2005a. Seasonal population changes of five parasitoids attacking the scale insect Nipponaclerda biwakoensis on the common reed, with special reference to predation by wintering birds. Entomological Science 8(4): 323-329. Notes: Seasonal changes in the abundance of five species of hymenopterous parasitoids (four species of Encyrtidae and one species of Eulophidae) attacking the scale insect Nipponaclerda biwakoensis on the common reed were investigated for 2 years in Lake Biwa, with special reference to predation by the reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus, during winter. The scales settled on reed shoot stems under sheath leaves, passing through three discrete generations per year. The abundance of adult female scales increased exponentially from July (first generation) to December (third generation). Adult female scales of the third generation overwintered on reed shoots. During winter, female scale abundance dramatically declined, whereas the number of predation marks made by reed buntings using their bills on reed sheath leaves increased. The generations of all five parasitoids were synchronized with the host scale generations, and the five parasitoids overwintered as larvae inside the scale bodies. The abundance of parasitized scales and parasitoid adults emerging from the scales also increased from July to December, but greatly decreased during winter. The overall parasitism rate of the female scales remained at relatively low levels (less than 40%) throughout the year, including before and after winter. A bird exclusion experiment revealed that the dramatic winter decrease of the abundance of the scale and its five parasitoids was due to intensive and non-selective predation by the buntings on unparasitized and parasitized scales. Additionally, the proportion of immature parasitoids removed by birds varied between the five parasitoid species. Thus, seasonal population changes of the five scale parasitoids are considerably affected by bird predation on overwintering immature parasitoids.

 

Karapanagiotis, I. & Chryssoulakis, Y. 2006. Investigation of red natural dyes used in historical objects by HPLC-DAD-MS. Annali di Chimica 96(1-2): 75-84. Notes: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-Vis Diode Array Detection (DAD) and electrospray mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) method was utilized for the identification of coloring components of madder, Armenian and Mexican cochineal, lac dye, brazilwood, safflower and dragon blood - probably the most important red natural dyestuffs found in objects of the Cultural heritage. UV-Vis detection limits in the range of 0.2-0.6 ng for carminic acid, alizarin and purpurin were achieved using a gradient elution of H2O-0-01%TFA and CH3CN-0.01%TFA. ESI mass spectrometer was also used, as a supportive detection method to the standard DAD, for further analysis of the tested materials, with the ability to analyze dyestuffs as small as one milligram. The presence of madder was revealed in two historical (Hellenistic and Roman period) samples, found in the Mediterranean area, by identifying purpurin in both of them. Munjistin was also identified in one of the     samples (Hellenistic period) while alizarin was not detected, raising questions regarding the exact madder type, utilized in the historical samples.

 

Kaydan, M.B., Kilincer, N. & Kozar, F. 2005. Studies on Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera Coccoidea) fauna of urban ecosystem of Ankara Province, Turkey. Bollettino di Zoologia Agraria e di Bachicoltura (Milano) 37(2): 85-95. Notes: Ornamental, greenhouse and wild plants were surveyed between 2001 and 2004 in a study of the pseudococcid fauna of the urban areas of the province of Ankara, Turkey. In this study 52 species belonging to 19 genera of the family Pseudococcidae were identified. Atrococcus ater Goux, A. parvulus (Borchsenius), Coccidohystrix artemisiae (Kiritchenko), Heliococcus sulci Goux, Heterococcopsis opertus Borchsenius, H. nudus (Green), H. tritici (Kiritchenko), Longicoccus affinis (Ter-Grigorian), Longicoccus clarus (Borchsenius), L. festucae (Koteja), L. longiventris (Borchsenius), L. psammophilus (Koteja), Mirococcopsis elongatus Borchsenius, M. stipae Borchsenius, Neotrionymus monstatus Borchsenius, Peliococcopsis priesneri (Laing), Peliococcus salviae Hadzibejli, P. tritubulatus (Kiritchenko), Phenacoccus ferulae Borchsenius, P. interruptus Green, P. loiki Danzig, P. phenacoccoides (Kiritchenko), P. transcaucasicus Hadzibejli, Puto palinuri Marotta & Tranfaglia, Rhizoecus periolanus (Goux) and Spilococcus mammillariae (Bouche) are new records for the Turkish pseudococcid fauna.

 

Kaydan, M.B., Kilincer, N. & Kozar, F. 2005a. New records of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from Turkey. Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica 40(3/4): 397-402. Notes: A survey of scale insects was carried out in Ankara, in Middle Anatolia, Turkey from 2001 to 2003. Twenty-three species belonging to five families were recorded. Some of these species are new records for Turkey, namely; Exaeretopus agropyri, E. formiceticola, E. tritici Williams, Chortinaspis subterraneus, Diaspidiotus elaeagni , Diaspidiotus sulci, Rhizaspidiotus canariensis, Acanthococcus devoneinsis, Acanthococcus tavignani, Acanthococcus variabilis, Neomargarodes festucae and Porphyrophora minuta.

 

Kaydan, M.B., Kilincer, N., Uygun, N., Japoshvilli, G. & Gaimari, S. 2006. Parasitoids and predators of Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in Ankara, Turkey. Phytoparasitica 34(4): 331-337. Notes: Natural enemies of mealybugs were surveyed in Ankara, Turkey, during the years 2001 to 2003. Twenty-three predatory species belonging to the insect orders Coleoptera (Coccinellidae, 17), Diptera (Chamaemyiidae, 3) and Neuroptera (Chrysopidae, 2; Hemerobiidae, 1); and 22 parasitoid species belonging to Hymenoptera (Aphelinidae, 2; Encyrtidae, 14; Platygasteridae, 1; Pteromalidae, 3; Signiphoridae, 2) were determined. The following ten species are newly recorded for the Turkish fauna: Sidis biguttatus Motchulsky, Nephus sinuatomaculatus Sahlberg (Coccinellidae), Leucopomyia alticeps Czerny, Parochthiphila (Euestelia) decipia Tanasijtshuk (Chamaemyiidae), Leptomastidea matritensis Mercet, Prochiloneurus bolivari Mercet, Rhopus sp. nr. acaetes (Walker), Stematosteres sp., Eunotus acutus Kurdjumov, and Chartocerus kurdjumovi (Nikol'skaya) (Chalcidoidea).

 

Khosla, S., Mendiratta, G. & Brahmachari, V. 2006. Genomic imprinting in the mealybugs. Cytogenetic and Genome Genetics 113(1/4): 41-52. Notes: The coccid insects (Hemiptera; Sternorrhyncha; Aphidiformes; Coccoidea; Pseudococcidae) are well suited to study not only the mechanisms of genomic imprinting but also facultative heterochromatization, a phenomenon well exemplified by inactivation of the X chromosome in female mammals. Coccids show sex-specific heterochromatization of an entire set of chromosomes and transcriptional silencing of all the paternally contributed chromosomes in males. Thus, genomic imprinting and the resultant differential regulation operate on 50% of the genome in contrast to the single X chromosome in female mammals. A significant insight into the phenomenon of genomic imprinting has come from very elegant cytological analysis of the coccid system. Recently, efforts have been made to dissect out at the molecular level the phenomenon of genomic imprinting in these insects. The present review summarizes both of these aspects. In light of the accruing experimental evidence for chromatin-based differences in the maternal and paternal genomes, it appears that the mealybug system may provide evidence for stable maintenance of chromatin code not only through mitosis but also through meiosis.

 

Kim, D.S. 2005. Oviposition time of overwintered females and migration of crawlers of Pseudaulacaspis prunicola (Homoptera: Diaspididae) on cherry trees in Jeju Island. (In Korean with summary in English.) Korean Journal of Applied Entomology 44(3): 231-235. Notes: This study was conducted to obtain the optimal spray time for Pseudaulacaspis prunicola (Maskell) (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in early season in Jeju. Oviposition time of overwintered females and activity of hatched nymphs of P. prunicola were monitored, and the Oenology data were compared with the outputs estimated by a degree-days model of P. pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti)). Overwintered females of P. prunicola began to lay eggs from mid to late April, and the eggs started to hatch from early May followed by the active migration of the hatched nymphs during mid May. The Oenological events of P. prunicola in early season were likely comparable with those of P. pentagona reported in southern Korea and in central Japan. A degree-day model, which predicts the proportion of >50% hatched egg batches of P. pentagona (y=1/ (exp(-(-a+bx))); y, proportion; x, degree-days based on 10.5[degree]C from 1 January; a=-18.80 and b=0.073), accurately described the migration time of P. prunicola hatched nymphs. Thus, it is considered that the degree-day model can be used for predicting the optimal spray time for P. prunicola in early season.

 

Kishimoto-Yamada, K., Itioka, T. & Kawai, S. 2005. Biological characterization of the obligate symbiosis between Acropyga sauteri Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Eumyrmococcus smithii Silvestri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae: Rhizoecinae) on Okinawa Island, southern Japan. Journal of Natural History 39(40): 3501-3524. Notes: The ant Acropyga sauteri Forel has an obligate, mutualistic symbiosis with a mealybug, Eumyrmococcus smithii Silvestri, on Okinawa Island, southern Japan. The mealybugs live inside ant nests nearly all their lives, and the ants depend on them for food. Alate foundress queens carry mealybugs during their nuptial flights, using them to establish new colonies at new sites. However, important aspects of the symbiosis have not yet been elucidated. The present study characterizes the basic biology of the symbiosis and describes for the first time the morphologies of all growth stages of E. smithii. Our study suggests that E. smithii has only one nymphal stage, followed by a female pupal stage or male prepupal stage. Intensive sampling of ant nests across seasons showed that A. sauteri prefers nest sites 5-20 cm underground. Acropyga sauteri produced reproductive stages mainly in mid-March or early April, and numbers of both ant workers and mealybugs increased from spring to summer. Experimental determination of colony identity with a method using nestmate recognition by ants suggested that each ant colony rarely has a perimeter greater than 30 cm, that the ants are monogynous, and that different ant colonies are densely aggregated along the root system of a plant, adjacent to each other but not interflowing. Both symbiotic partners were vulnerable to attacks by several common subaerial ant species following physical disturbance to their nests.

 

Klaewklad, A. & Suasa-ard, W. 2005. Biology of Anagyrus dactylopii (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), as the important parasite of the spherical mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). Pages 156-162 in Proceedings of 43rd Kasetsart University