Identification of Some Species of the Family Coccidae That Infest Fruit Orchards in Syria
A.T. Saleh* and A.M. Basheer
Biological Control Studies and Research Center and Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University. Syria. *Email address of corresponding author: alaa.saleh2020@gmail.com
Received: 3/9/2022; Accepted: 14/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001224
Abstract
Soft scale insects are serious plant pests and are often small and highly cryptic. These pests are economically important in agriculture. Insect samples and infested plant parts were collected during the period April to June 2016 and 2017 from three locations (Al-Sanobar, Daba, and Jaba) and then brought to the Biological Control Studies and Research Center (BCSRC). The following soft scale insects of the order Coccomorpha and family Coccidae were identified: Coccus pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana, in Al-Sanobar and Dabba in Lattakia governorate in Java orange orchards, Saissetia oleae Olivier and C. pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana in Pomelo citrus tree in Daba locality, Sphaerolecanium prunastri Fonscolombe at the third site Jaba, Quneitra governorate, in almond orchards which was the first record in Syria. Identification and characterization of the soft scale insects was based on microscopic characters of adult female using slide-mounted specimens. Identification of pests is essential for the implementation of biological control program.
Keywords
Coccidae, soft scale insects, Syria.