Scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) and their natural enemies, recorded on agricultural, ornamental and forest plant species in the wider area of Messenian Province (Peloponnese, Greece), 2000 – 2020

Summary The scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) recorded on agricultural, ornamental and forest plant species in the wider area of Messenian Province (Peloponnese, Greece) during the years 2000 – 2020 are reviewed. Twenty species were recorded, which belong to four families: Diaspididae: Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.), Diaspis echinocacti (Bouché), Dynaspidiotus abieticola (Koroneos), D. abietis (Schrank), Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman), L. gloverii (Packard), Lineaspis striata (Newstead), Targionia vitis (Signoret); Coccidae: Ceroplastes rusci (L.), Eulecanium sericeum (Lindinger), Nemolecanium graniformis (Wünn), Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché), P. persicae (Fabricius), Physokermes hemicryphus (Dalman), P. inopinatus Danzig and Kozár, Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell); Pseudococcidae: Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, Planococcus vovae (Nasonov) and Kermesidae: Kermes echinatus Balachowsky. The biology, phenology and natural enemies in Messenia are discussed for fifteen of these scale species.

Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in Uruguay: morphological identification and molecular characterization, with descriptions of two new species

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) are important pests in fruit production in Uruguay; however, very little is known about the species involved. A survey of mealybugs associated especially with fruit crops (apple, citrus, figs, grapes, pears, quince and strawberry), and other crops like vegetables and sugar cane, ornamentals and weeds was performed between 2017 and 2019 in Uruguay, using integrated taxonomy (morphology and DNA analyses) for their identification. A total of 19 mealybug species were identified. The most common species were Planococcus ficus (Signoret), Pseudococcus scatoterrae Granara de Willink and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) on fruits, and Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, Phenacoccus peruvianus Granara de Willink and Planococcus citri (Risso) on ornamental plants, all of them causing damage to their hosts. This study presents nine new species records for Uruguay, besides the description of two new species. An identification key to the mealybugs in Uruguay is provided.

The cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) arrives in India

Invasive species threaten the ecological and economic wellbeing of a country (Pimentel et al. 2001). In the last decade, several mealybugs and soft scale insects have been accidentally introduced to India, of which some have become serious pests (e.g., Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller); others are widening their host ranges and spreading rapidly. Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) and Protopulvinaria longivalvata Green seem relatively harmless but Trijuba oculata (Brain) and Pulvinaria urbicola Cockerell cause economic damage (Joshi & Rameshkumar 2013; Joshi 2017).

Modeling the Potential Global Distribution of Phenacoccus madeirensis Green under Various Climate Change Scenarios

The Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, is a serious invasive pest that does significant damage to more than 120 genera of host plants from 51 families in more than 81 countries. However, the potential distribution range of this pest is unclear, which could hamper control and eradication efforts. In the current study, MaxEnt models were developed to forecast the current and future distribution of the Madeira mealybug around the world. Moreover, the future potential distribution of this invasive species was projected for the 2050s and 2070s under three different climate change scenarios (HADGEM2-AO, GFDL-CM3, and MIROC5) and two representative concentration pathways (RCP-2.6 and RCP-8.5). The final model indicates that the Madeira mealybug has a highly suitable range for the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa, as well as South America and North America, where this species has already been recorded. Potential expansions or reductions in distribution were also simulated under different future climatic conditions. Our study also suggested that the mean temperature of the driest quarter (Bio9) was the most important factor and explained 46.9% of the distribution model. The distribution model from the current and future predictions can enhance the strategic planning of agricultural and forestry organization by identifying regions that will need to develop integrated pest management programs to manage Madeira mealybug, especially for some highly suitable areas, such as South Asia and Europe. Moreover, the results of this research will help governments to optimize investment in the control and management of the Madeira mealybug by identifying regions that are or will become suitable for infestations.