Taxonomic and ecological studies on the new record, Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comstock, 1881, (Coccidae:Homoptera) at Qaliobiya governorate.

Abstract

Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comstock is collected for the first time from Egypt; it is a serious soft scale pest on guava trees, with a high occurrence reached to 371 individuals/ leaf in the highest generation at mid November 2006 at Qaliobiya governorate. A key with figures and illustrations was constructed to differentiate Ceroplastes Egyptian species. Moreover the seasonal fluctuation of different stages of this newly recorded species is included, where the pest total population and nymphal stage had two annual peaks per year. Also the pest had two annual generations per year on mid February and November. The associated parasite, Tetrastichus ceroplastae (Girault) is collected and identified. The relationship between this pest and its parasitic & climatic factors is studied to help in the integrated pest control management.