Studies on mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Indonesia, with description of a new species and three new country records.

Pseudococcid mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) include economically important insect pests worldwide; however, little is known about the species present in Indonesia. Samples were collected and identified from wild and cultivated plants in several regions of southern Sumatra, Indonesia between 2018 and 2020. Eighteen species of Pseudococcidae in 8 genera were identified, including one undescribed species and new host plants. Dysmicoccus zeynepae Zarkani & Kaydan sp. n. is described and illustrated based on the morphology of the adult female, and a key is provided for the identification of all 18 species. Furthermore, Dysmicoccus arachidis Williams, D. carens Williams and Pseudococcus leptotrichotus Williams are recorded for the first time from Indonesia; new locality and host-plant data are given for these species.

New records of mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) parasitoids belonging to the family Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Turkey.

As a result of surveys conducted in Aydin Province (Turkey), 19 parasitoids belonging to the family Encyrtidae were found on pseudococcids. Four species are newly recorded from Turkey: Anusia tornike Japoshvili, Coccidoxenoides perminutus Girault, Homalotylus quaylei (Timberlake), and Prochiloneurus aegyptiacus (Mercet). One new species, Leptomastix baspinari Japoshvili sp. n., is described and illustrated. This species was recorded parasitizing six different mealybugs on ten different plant species, including weeds, ornamentals, and crops. Based on its host range, this parasitoid may be a very promising biocontrol agent against many mealybug species.

A checklist of Indonesian scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha).

Scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorryncha: Coccomorpha) are a very important insect group containing numerous pests of woody and herbaceous plants worldwide. The only complete study of any scale insects in Indonesia was by D.J. Williams on the mealybugs (Pseudococcidae sensu lato), published in 2004; the other scale insect families have only been documented in various small publications. Here we provide a complete checklist of the scale insects of Indonesia, which now contains 364 species belonging to 136 genera in 16 families. The family Diaspididae is the most diverse, with 158 species belonging to 44 genera, followed by Pseudococcidae with 105 species belonging to 32 genera, and Coccidae with 65 species belonging to 22 genera. The other families are, in order of size: Monophlebidae (26 species belonging to 9 genera), Rhizoecidae (12 species belonging to 4 genera), Asterolecaniidae (11 species belonging to 5 genera), Leconodiaspidae (7 species belonging to 3 genera), Cerococcidae (5 species belonging to 3 genera), Xenococcidae (5 species belonging to 2 genera), Ortheziidae (4 species belonging to 3 genera), Eriococcidae (4 species belonging to 2 genera), Aclerdidae (2 species belonging to 1 genus), and Kermesidae (1 species belonging to 1 genus).

Effects of several UV-protective substances on the persistence of the insecticidal activity of the Alphabaculovirus of Chrysodeixis chalcites (ChchNPV-TF1) on banana (Musa acuminata, Musaceae, Colla) under laboratory and open-field conditions.

Alphabaculovirus of Chrysodeixis chalcites (ChchNPV-TF1) has been investigated as a useful bioinsecticide against C. chalcites (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in banana crops. This study investigated the effects of several substances on the persistence of ChchNPV-TF1 under field conditions in the Canary Islands. Natural photoprotective substances, such as moringa, cacao, green tea, benzopurpurine, charcoal, iron dioxide, benzimidazole, kaolinite, and bentonite, were first evaluated under laboratory conditions using a Crosslinker as UV light source at 200 J/cm2. The photoprotective substances were divided into three groups: low protection (0-8%; kaolinite), intermediate protection (48-62%; green tea, moringa, bentonite and cacao) and high protection (87-100%; charcoal, iron ioxide). Benzopurpurine and benzimidazole did not provide any photoprotective effects. Two of the substances that yielded the best results, 1% cacao and 1% charcoal, were selected for the open-field experiment in a banana plantation. The persistence of ChchNPV-TF1 OBs (occlusion bodies) on leaf surfaces with sunlight exposure was analysed by comparing the initial mortality of 2nd instar C. chalcites larvae with the mortality observed at various intervals postapplication. The mortality rates decreased over time in all treatments and were always higher in the UV-protective substance-treated parcels. The 1% charcoal treatment exhibited the highest protection in both the laboratory and field experiments. No specific interference of UV-protective substances on the maximum photochemical efficiency of banana plants was observed under field conditions.

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.

Studies on the genus Ripersiella Tinsley (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Rhizoecidae) in the Neotropical region, with description of a new species.

The Neotropical scale insect genus Ripersiella Tinsley (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Rhizoecidae) was investigated, based on soil samples deposited at the Hungarian Natural History Museum. Description and illustration of a new species, Ripersiella incarum Kaydan Szita sp. n., and an identification key and new additional locality records for the currently known Ripersiella species in the Neotropical region, are provided and discussed.

Mealybug species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) on soursop and sugar apple (Annonaceae) in North-East Brazil, with description of a new species of Pseudococcus Westwood.

Several species of Annonaceae are economically important fruit-tree crops in North-East Brazil, including Pernambuco state. However, in several regions within the state, the fruits are commonly infested by mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae). There is a lack of information about the mealybug species damaging this produce, so a survey of mealybug species associated with commercial sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) and soursop (A. muricata L.) was conducted in the main production areas. The species Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), Planococcus minor (Maskell), Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel Miller were found on both Annona species. Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Ferrisia dayslirii Kaydan Gullan and Ferrisia malvastra (MacDaniel) were found only on soursop; and Ferrisia cristinae Kaydan Gullan, Planococcus citri (Risso), Pseudococcus annonae sp. n. Pacheco da Silva Kaydan and Pseudococcus sp. were found only on sugar apple. The species F. cristinae, F. dasylirii, F. malvastra and Ph. solenopsis are recorded infesting these hosts for the first time. The most abundant mealybug species found were F. virgata, Pl. minor, Ps. jackbeardsleyi and M. hirsutus, often forming heavy infestations and damaging the fruits. A new species, Pseudococcus annonae sp. n. Pacheco da Silva Kaydan, is described and illustrated, and an identification key to the mealybug genera occurring on annonaceous species in the Neotropical region is also provided.

Contribution to the knowledge of the earthworm fauna of Turkey with description of three new species (Clitellata: Megadrili).

During a recent survey, 29 earthworm species were collected from different parts of Turkey, 27 of which belong to the family Lumbricidae, one to Acanthodrilidae and one to Megascolecidae. Dendrobaena proved to be the most speciose genus with 12 recorded species including two species new to science, Dendrobaena pavliceki and Dendrobaena taurica spp. nov. In addition a third new species was also found belonging to the East Mediterranean genus Healyella: Healyella zicsii sp. nov. From the species recorded earlier for Turkey, D. fridericae uludagi Omodeo Rota, 1991 and He. boluana Omodeo Rota, 1989 were found for the first time since the original description. With these new records the number of earthworm species recorded for Turkey is raised to 84.

Data on the scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) fauna of Greece, with description of two new species.

Surveys of the scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) fauna of Greece were carried out in 2013 and 2014. Altogether 93 scale insect species were collected, belonging to 11 families. Thirty-eight species (41%) proved to be new to the Greek fauna, including two species new to science (Anophococcus hellenicus Kaydan & Szita sp. n. (Acanthococcidae) and Iberococcus attikus Szita & Fetykó sp. n. (Pseudococcidae)), and two introduced invasive species (Phenacoccus graminicola Leonardi and Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana), both Pseudococcidae). The rest of the species seem to be native to the Greek fauna. The total number of scale insect species recorded from Greece is increased to 253.

Integrative taxonomy methods reveal high mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) diversity in southern Brazilian fruit crops.

The Serra Gaúcha region is the most important temperate fruit-producing area in southern Brazil. Despite mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) infesting several host plants in the region, there is a lack of information about the composition of species damaging different crops. A survey of mealybug species associated with commercial fruit crops (apple, persimmon, strawberry and grapes) was performed in Serra Gaúcha between 2013 and 2015, using both morphology and DNA analyses for species identification. The most abundant species were Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), found on all four host plant species, and Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), infesting persimmon, vines and weeds. The highest diversity of mealybug species was found on persimmon trees, hosting 20 different taxa, of which Anisococcus granarae Pacheco da Silva & Kaydan, D. brevipes, Pseudococcus sociabilis Hambleton and Ps. viburni were the most abundant. A total of nine species were recorded in vineyards. Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) were observed causing damage to grapes for the first time. A single species, Ps. viburni, was found associated with apples, while both Ps. viburni and Ferrisia meridionalis Williams were found on strawberry. Four of the mealybug species found represent new records for Brazil.

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) with oral rim ducts; description of a new genus and species from Turkey, and discussion of their higher classification within the Pseudococcidae.

A new monotypic mealybug genus with oral rim ducts, Bromusicoccus Kaydan gen. n. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae: Pseudococcinae), is described from Turkey. The higher classification of mealybug genera with oral rim tubular ducts worldwide is discussed and a key is provided to separate them.

Molecular and morphological identification of pistachio armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), with description of a new species.

Members of the family Diaspididae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) can be devastating pests that suck parenchyma cell contents from crops and cause severe damage to pistachio trees (Pistacia vera L.). The current research collected and characterized diaspidid species from pistachio orchards in Kerman province, Iran, according to their morphological and molecular features. Lepidosaphes pistaciae Archangelskaya, Suturaspis davatchi (Balachowsky & Kaussari) and Melanaspis inopinata (Leonardi) are redescribed and a new species, Melanaspis pistaciae Hosseininaveh & Kaydan sp. n., is described. Phylogenetic trees based on molecular analysis of COI and 28S rDNA fragments placed all the species in separated clades and confirmed M. pistaciae as a new taxon which is concluded by morphological differences. Molecular analysis suggests non-monophyly of the populations of each species. Melanaspis pistaciae sp. n. has spread to most cultivated pistachio areas in Iran and has probably been misidentified as M. inopinata in the past. Further investigation of the biology of this species may lead to development of more effective approaches for controlling this pest.

Three new species of mealybug (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) on persimmon fruit trees (Diospyros kaki) in southern Brazil.

Brazil has the greatest insect diversity in the world; however, little is known about its scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha). Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) have been found in at least 50% of persimmon orchards Diospyros kaki L. in the southern part of the country. In this study three new mealybug species on persimmon trees located in the Serra Gaúcha Region, RS, Brazil, namely, Anisococcus granarae Pacheco da Silva & Kaydan, sp. n., Ferrisia kaki Kaydan & Pacheco da Silva, sp. n. and Pseudococcus rosangelae Pacheco da Silva & Kaydan, sp. n. are described. In addition, an identification key for the genera occurring on fruit orchards and vineyards in Brazil is provided, together with illustrations and molecular data for the new species.

A survey of scale insects in soil samples from Europe (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha).

In the last decades, several expeditions were organized in Europe by the researchers of the Hungarian Natural History Museum to collect snails, aquatic insects and soil animals (mites, springtails, nematodes, and earthworms). In this study, scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) specimens extracted from Hungarian Natural History Museum soil samples (2970 samples in total), all of which were collected using soil and litter sampling devices, and extracted by Berlese funnel, were examined. From these samples, 43 scale insect species (Acanthococcidae 4, Coccidae 2, Micrococcidae 1, Ortheziidae 7, Pseudococcidae 21, Putoidae 1 and Rhizoecidae 7) were found in 16 European countries. In addition, a new species belonging to the family Pseudococcidae, Brevennia larvalis Kaydan, sp. n. and a new species of Ortheziidae, Ortheziola editae Szita & Konczné Benedicty, sp. n. are described and illustrated based on the adult female stage. Revised keys to the adult females of Brevennia and Ortheziola are presented.

A systematic study of Peliococcus Borchsenius (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), with descriptions of a new Palaearctic genus and four new species from Turkey.

Within the Phenacoccinae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), there are four nominal genera that include species with clusters or groups of multilocular disc pores and/or oral collar tubular ducts of more than one size, namely Peliococcus Borchsenius (= Spinococcus Borchsenius and Eupeliococcus Savescu), Peliococcopsis Borchsenius, Erimococcus Ezzat, and Seyneria Goux. This study analysed molecular data (from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I, COI, and a fragment of the D2 and D3 regions of the large subunit ribosomal DNA gene, 28S) from Palaearctic species of Peliococcus, Peliococcopsis and a new genus, Pelionella Kaydan to demonstrate: (i) that Peliococcus and several morphologically similar genera do not form a monophyletic group; (ii) Peliococcus, as currently understood, is not monophyletic, and (iii) the structure of the multilocular disc pores is important for recognising the systematic position of these genera. The morphological data were fitted to the molecular tree to allow reassessment of the generic classification and to produce morphological diagnoses of the genera. Five species have been moved to the genus Erimococcus Ezzat: Peliococcus kimmericus Kiritchenko, P. montanus Bazarov & Babaeva, P. multitubulatus (Danzig), P. salviae Hadzibejli and P. talhouki Matille-Ferrero, as E. kimmericus (Kiritchenko) comb. nov., E. montanus (Bazarov & Babaeva) comb. nov., E. multitubulatus (Danzig) comb. nov., E. salviae (Hadzibejli) comb.nov. and E. talhouki (Matille-Ferrero) comb. nov. In addition, a new species of Erimococcus is described, namely Erimococcus ozani Kaydan sp. nov. Also Peliococcus ilamicus Moghaddam syn. nov. is recognised as a junior synonym of Phenacoccus kimmericus Kiritchenko (previously in Peliococcus, now in Erimococcus). A new genus, Pelionella gen. nov. is introduced to take nine species, namely Peliococcus balteatus Green, P. cycliger Leonardi, P. manifectus Borchsenius, P. stellarocheae Goux, P. glandulifer Borchsenius, P. tritubulatus Kritchenko, P. sablius Goux, P. grassianus Goux, P. proeminens Goux, as Pelionella balteata (Green) comb. nov., Pelionella cycliger (Leonardi) comb. nov., Pelionella manifecta (Borchsenius) comb. nov., Pelionella stellarocheae (Goux) comb. nov., Pelionella glandulifer (Borchsenius) comb. nov., Pelionella tritubulata (Kritchenko) comb. nov., Pelionella sablia (Goux) comb. nov., Pelionella grassiana (Goux) comb. nov. and Pelionella proeminens (Goux) comb. nov. In addition, two species are described as new: Pelionella multipora Kaydan sp. nov. and Pelionella kansui Kaydan sp. nov. Three species, namely Peliococcus daganiae (Bodenheimer), P. orientalis Bazarov and Spinococcus giuliae Pellizzari, are transferred to Phenacoccus as: Phenacoccus daganiae (Bodenheimer), comb. nov., Phenacoccus orientalis (Bazarov), comb. nov. and Phenacoccus giuliae (Pellizzari), comb. nov. Three new species synonymies are recognised: Peliococcus deserticola Ben-Dov & Gerson syn. nov. of Peliococcus cycliger Leonardi (now Pelionella cycliger), Peliococcus albertaccius Goux syn. nov. of Peliococcus manifectus Borchsenius (now Pelionella manifecta) and Peliococcus lycicola Tang syn. nov. is recognised as a junior synonym of Peliococcus chersonensis Kiritshenko. In addition, a new Peliococcus species is described, namely Peliococcus agriensis Kaydan sp. nov.

The genus Arctorthezia Cockerell (Hemiptera, Ortheziidae) with the description of a new species.

This paper describes a new species of Arctorthezia Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Ortheziidae) from the Palaearctic region. The specimens were extracted from forest litter in the collections of Muséum d'histoire Naturelle de Genève, Switzerland, using Berlese funnels. Three further species, Arctortheziacataphracta (Olafsen), Arctortheziaoccidentalis (Douglas) and Arctortheziapseudoccidentalis Morrison, are redescribed and re-illustrated. The genus Arctorthezia now contains five species. An identification key, diagnostic illustrations, photographs of unmounted females and new locality records of the Arctorthezia species currently known are provided.

Description of Ortheziolamameti tranfagliai new species (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Ortheziidae) from India.

This paper describes a new Ortheziolamameti species from the Oriental region (India), namely Ortheziolamameti tranfagliai Konczné Benedicty, sp. n. The examined material was extracted from forest litter from India, using Berlese funnels. With this new species the genus Ortheziolamameti now includes six species. An identification key and distribution map are provided.

New species of the genus Ortheziola Sulc (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Ortheziidae).

This paper describes three new Ortheziola species of the Palaearctic and Oriental regions. The specimens were extracted from forest litter using Berlese funnels, and are from the collections of Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de Genève, Switzerland. Thus the genus Ortheziola sensu stricto now includes 12 species. An identification key, distribution map and new locality records for the Ortheziola species currently known are provided.