MANIPUEIRA NO CONTROLE DA COCHONILHA Orthezia insignis BROWE, 1887, EM PLANTAS DE ACEROLA

MANIPUEIRA NO CONTROLE DA COCHONILHA Orthezia insignis BROWE, 1887, EM PLANTAS DE ACEROLA

Susceptibility of Lantana Cultivars to Orthezia insignis

The greenhouse orthezia (Orthezia insignis) is a serious and widespread pest of cultivated lantanas (Lantana sp.) in warmer regions of the world. Forty species and cultivars of lantanas were screened for their relative susceptibility to this insect pest. Results showed that two Florida native lantanas, pineland lantana (L. depressa) and buttonsage (L. involucrata), were highly susceptible to infestation, with trailing lantana (L. montevidensis) and its cultivars and hybrids being somewhat less susceptible. Shrub lantana (L. camara) and its cultivars and hybrids were the least susceptible to greenhouse orthezia infestation, but some of these varieties are rather unattractive as landscape ornamentals and can become serious weeds.

The biology and taxonomy of Hyperaspis pantherina (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and the classical biological control of its prey, Orthezia insignis (Homoptera: Ortheziidae)

Between 1908 and 1959, the predatory coccinellid, Hyperaspis pantherina Fürsch, was released for the biological control of the ensign scale Orthezia insignis Browne in Hawaii, four African countries and Peru. Substantial control was reported after all the releases, although the outcome was disputed in Malawi. Other coccinellid species and predatory Diptera were released against Orthezia spp. in various programmes from 1952 to 1977. In most cases these agents failed to establish, and there were no reported effects on the target Orthezia spp. In 1993, H. pantherina was released in St Helena for the control of O. insignis on the endemic gumwood tree, Comm idendrum robustum (Compositae). Preparatory investigations for this release revealed that the taxonomy and biology of this biocontrol agent were poorly known. Hyperaspis pantherina is redescribed and shown to be the correct name for the species previously known incorrectly as H. jocosa (Mulsant). Hyperaspis laeta Gorham and H. levrati (Mulsant) are transferred to the genus Cyra Mulsant (comb. n.). Hyperaspis metator (Casey) (stat. rev.) is resurrected from synonymy with H. levrati auctt. Studies of the life history revealed that H. pantherina normally lays its eggs directly onto the adult female O. insignis and that the first two instars of the larvae are frequently passed inside the ovisac of the female host, after which the host itself is often consumed. The information on the biology and taxonomy of H. pantherina, together with details of culturing methods, should facilitate the further use of this agent for the classical biological control of O. insignis, a pantropical pest.

Orthezia insignis. [Distribution map].

A new distribution map is provided for Orthezia insignis Browne. Hosts: Citrus, Lantana, egg-plant, sweet-potato, rose; polyphagous. Information is given on the geographical distribution in EUROPE (excl. USSR), Italy, ASIA (excl. USSR), Ceylon, India, Malaya, USSR, AFRICA, Algeria, Belgian, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Madeira, Mauritius, Nigeria, Réunion, San Thomé, Southern Rhodesia, Tanganyika, Union of South Africa, NORTH AMERICA, U.S.A., CENTRAL AMERICA and WEST INDIES, Costa Rica, West Indies, SOUTH AMERICA, Argentina, Brazil, British Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF MASSACHUSETTS COCCIDÆ.—II

Orthezia insignis, Dougl.; 1887-1892. I.Found at Amherst and Cambridge, Mass., in greenhouses. A very general feeder on greenhouse plants. It is recorded from New York, Pennsylvania and California.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF MASSACHUSETTS COCCIDAE.—I

The published records of the occurrence of coccids in Massachusetts are so scattered and the number found to exist is so large, that it seems quite desirable that they should be brought together and published in one entomological journal. So far as I can learn from careful search of the literature up to January, 1896, there had been only 13 species recorded. Since then the list has increased to 74. A list of the 13 species is: Aspidiotus perniciousus, Mytilaspsis pomorum, Chionapis furfurus, C. spartinae, Aulacaspis bromeliae, Dactylopius adonidum, Phenacoccus aceris, Gossyparia ulmi, Orthezia insignis, Pulvinaria innumerabilis, Lecanium hesperidum, L. platycerii, and L. filicum. A check-list reference-list of the literature of Massachusetts Coccidae will be published in a supplementary article.