Extraordinary multispecies outbreaks of scale insects in Mindanao, Philippines: effects of climate change or poor quarantine practices?

Issue Date

10-2008

Abstract

Ten species of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) have been reported to infest several crops in various areas of Mindanao island in outbreak levels. They include newly recorded and/or resurgent pests of several crops and consist of five armored scales (Diaspididae), namely: coconut scale Aspidiotus destructor (Signoret) (Tribe Aspidiotini), lanzones mussel scale Lepidosaphes sp. (Tribe Lepidosaphini), white mango scale Aulacaspis tubercularis (Newstead), pineapple scale Diaspis boisduvalii (Tribe Diaspidini), and black parlatoria scale Parlatoria ziziphi Lucas (Tribe Parlatoriini); three mealybugs (Pseudococcidae), namely: buff coconut mealybug Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell), pineapple mealybug Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), and a still undetermined Pseudococcus sp. (Pseudococcidae); the giant scale (Margarodidae) Icerya seychellarum (Westwood); and a palm scale (Halimococcidae); the Comval palm scale Halimococcus sp., Lepidosaphes sp. and Halimococcus sp. are new faunal records whereas N. nipae, a polyphagous species, is a recent introduction. The crops mainly affected are coconut, banana, mango, pineapple, citrus, lansones, and ornamental palms. Previously, A. destructor and P. ziziphi were typically known mainly on coconut and other palms and their occurrence on bananas, although not surprising, appears to be a possible case of host switching. Several accounts from both researchers and farmers claim that they peaked or at least started during the last El Niño or prolonged dry season on the island. On the other hand, the spread of N. nipae from Luzon is postulated to be through introduced ornamental palms, which probably did not pass through proper quarantine procedures.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

22

Issue

2

Page

203

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

COCCOIDEA; HEMIPTERA; SPECIES; INFESTATION; QUARANTINE; CLIMATE CHANGE; PHILIPPINES

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