Report of new invasive scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea), Crypticerya multicicatrices Kondo and Unruh (Monophlebidae) and Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Pseudococcidae), on the islands of San Andres and Providencia, Colombia, with an updated taxonomic key to iceryine scale insects of South America

Abstract

Abstract. The multicicatrices fluted scale, Crypticerya multicicatrices Kondo and Unruh (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae) is reported from the islands of San Andres and Providencia, Colombia, as a recent invasive species. This scale insect is polyphagous, and attacks numerous plants of economic importance such as avocado, breadfruit, mango, papaya and tropical ornamental plants. A compiled list of 95 host plant species of C. multicicatrices is given. A diagnosis of the adult female of C. multicicatrices and a revised taxonomic key to the species of the tribe Iceryini (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) known from South America is provided. The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), also is reported for the first time from the island of San Andres, where it is found commonly on Hibiscus spp. and Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. The need for the implementation of a classical biological control program in the archipelago in order to control invasive scale insect pests is discussed. Más...