In Florida's Tropical Fruits
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118:215-217. 2005. EXOTIC SCALE INSECTS (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA) AND WHITEFLIES (HEMIPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) IN FLORIDA’S TROPICAL FRUITS: AN EXAMPLE OF THE VITAL ROLE OF EARLY DETECTION IN PEST PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT AMANDA C. HODGES1*, GREGORY S. HODGES2 tal U.S., Miller et al. (2005) specifically mentions 11 out of 21 AND GAIL C. WISLER3 exotic scale insect introductions in the last 20 years that have 1University of Florida, IFAS been particularly problematic pests. Of these 11 scale insects, Entomology and Nematology Department the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green); Natural Area Drive the papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Gra- P.O. Box 110620 nara de Willink; the lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata Gainesville, FL 32611 (Chamberlin); and the white mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercu- laris Newstead have been pests for some of Florida’s tropical 2FDACS-DPI and subtropical fruit crops. Generally, the most devastating 1911 SW 34th Street scale insect introductions are polyphagous. Approximately P.O. Box 147100 25% of the known U.S. fauna consists of introduced species, Gainesville, FL 32614 but the total species diversity of U.S. scales only represents about 14% of the worldwide known species (Ben-Dov et al., 3University of Florida, IFAS 2003; Miller et al., 2005). Several exotic scales and whiteflies Department of Plant Pathology could cause devastating damage to U.S. agriculture if intro- 1453 Fifield Hall duced. Examples of exotic a) introduced, established and b) P.O. Box 110680 not established scales and whiteflies of concern are present- Gainesville, FL 32611 ed. Additionally, information on agencies involved in exotic pest issues in Florida is provided. Additional index words. Extension education, invasive species, NPDN, SPDN Exotic Scale (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Pest Introductions Abstract. The warm, tropical to subtropical climate of Florida in and Florida’s Tropical and Subtropical Fruits conjunction with trade and travel patterns creates an optimal environment for the introduction and establishment of exotic Some of the tropical or semi-tropical fruit crops grown in pests. For some of Florida’s tropical fruit species, such as man- Florida are shown in Table 1. Of those species listed, the high- go, avocado, papaya, passion fruit, guava, and carambola, ex- otic scales, mealybugs, and whiteflies have been especially est cash receipt crop was avocados for $17,195,000. All of the problematic. Examples of some of these pests reported to the other species listed were included as other fruits and nuts, Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry and their cash receipts totaled $55,101,000 (USDA, NASS). (FDACS-DPI) database will be described. Additionally, informa- tion on scales, mealybugs, and whiteflies that could impact Table 1. Some tropical and subtropical fruit hosts. Florida’s tropical fruit crops, if introduced, is provided. The past and potential impacts of exotic scales, mealybugs, and Family Common name Scientific name whiteflies provide a good example of the importance of early detection of non-native pests. The Southern Plant Diagnostic Ancardiaceae Mango Mangifera indica L. Network (SPDN), coordinated through the University of Florida, Annonaceae Soursop, Guanabana Annona muricata L. promotes the early detection of exotic pests through diagnos- Annonaceae Sugar apple, Sweet sop Annona squamosa L. tics, education, and information technology. The SPDN, one of Annonaceae Custard apple Annona reticulata L. the five regions of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NP- Caricaceae Papaya Carica papaya L. DN), primarily links land grant university diagnostic labs in the Ebenaceae Black sapote Diospyros digyna Jacq. southern region. Even though the SPDN/NPDN is mainly a net- Lauraceae Avocado Persea Americana Miller work linking land grant universities, the SPDN/NPDN also com- Moraceae Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. municates and cooperates with state and federal regulatory Musaceae Banana Musa sp. personnel, as appropriate for exotic pests issues. Myrtaceae Barbados cherry Eugenia uniflora L. or Surinam cherry From 1986-2000, Florida Department of Agriculture-Divi- Myrtaceae Guava Psidium guajava L. sion of Plant Industry indicated that approximately 150 spe- Myrtaceae Strawberry guava Psidium littorale Raddi cies of exotic arthropods established in Florida (Thomas, Myrtaceae Wax jambu Syzgium cumini (L.) Skeels Oxalidaceae Carambola, Starfruit Averrohoa carambola L. 2000). The most common grouping of insects during this Palmae Coconut Cocos nucifera L. time period included the former insect order Homoptera Passifloraceae Passion fruit Passiflora edulis Sims (currently classified as Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha and Rutaceae White sapote Casimiroa edulis Llave Auchenorrhyncha). The scales, mealybugs, and whiteflies are Sapindaceae Lychee Litchi chinenesis Sonnerat included in the Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha. In the continen- Sapindaceae Longan Dimocarpus longan Sapotaceae Sapodilla Manilkara zapota (L.) Van Royen Sapotaceae Mamey sapote Pouteria sapota (Jacq.) H. E. Moore & Stearn *Corresponding author; e-mail: [email protected] Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118: 2005. 215 Several current and potential emerging scale and whitefly scales have a body length of approximately 3 to 5 mm and an problems in subtropical to tropical Florida fruit stem from in- ovate shape. Prior to ovisac production, philephedra scale has vasive introductions (Table 2). An attempt was made to in- a light green body. After ovisac production, the adult female clude the most extensive host data available pertinent to the body is brown and the ovisac is somewhat J-shaped. This subtropical/tropical fruit industry in Florida. It should be ovisac actually has an almost wet appearance, in contrast to noted that many of these species are extremely polyphagous many of the soft scales that produce a drier, fluffy ovisac. and may infest other hosts. The armored scales (family Diaspididae) lack an ovisac Two historical examples of non-native whiteflies (Aley- but produce a protective covering consisting of wax and shed rodidae) that have been pests for Florida’s tropical fruits in- exuviae. Armored scales have small, flattened bodies usually clude citrus blackfly and wooly whitefly. For whiteflies, it is ranging in size from ½ to 1½ mm in length. The cryptic size generally the pupal stage attached to the underside of host and shape of armored scales often allows populations to be leaves that is used for species identification. When collecting undetected until economically damaging levels are reached. unknown pests for sample submission, multiple samples and Three exotic armored scales that have been introduced into life stages should be obtained if possible. Citrus blackfly Florida in the last 10 years include the longan scale, A. puni- adults are slate blue and typically do not have an average body cae, and the white mango scale. The longan scale, an armored length longer than 1.25 mm. The pupal case of citrus blackfly scale with a short light green cover, is most common on is ovate, shiny black, and has a small margin of white wax sur- leaves, but it can also occur on fruit. Andaspis punicae is a gray- rounding it (Nguyen et al., 1999). The adult body of wooly ish brown oyster shell shaped scale that occurs on the bark. whitefly is a light yellow with powdery white wings. Pupae have The white mango scale is a major pest of mango in Asia and distinctive white wax threads. Both of these exotic whiteflies Africa. It usually occurs on the leaves, and had a round semi- are currently typically controlled with natural enemies, but transparent to white cover. occasional pest problems may occur. The lobate lac scale has a hard, resinous covering over its Examples of soft scales (Coccidae) that have become es- body resulting in difficulties for management options. The lo- tablished in Florida in the last 20 years include fig wax scale, bate lac scale is not a major pest in its native range of India, stellate scale, and philephedra scale. Fig wax scale was first de- but it has become extremely problematic for Florida. The tected in Florida in 1994 and subsequently has become a fair- dark brown adult female is only about 1.5 to 2 mm long and ly common scale in south Florida, particularly on Ficus spp. wide, and the body shape resembles a bow tie. Lobate lac scale (Moraceae). Since this wax scale has an extremely broad host is an extremely polyphagous scale that has proved problemat- range, it is possible that it could become problematic for Flor- ic on numerous woody hosts in both agricultural and native ida’s tropical and subtropical fruit species. Fig wax scale has a habitats for Florida (Howard et al., 2004). pinkish-gray wax with dorsal and lateral plates divided by dark Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) have a fine layer of wax that red lines. The body underneath the wax case is also dark red covers their body. Similar to the soft scale, mealybugs are also (Hamon and Mason, 1997). Stellate scale was eradicated from capable of producing ovisacs. The adult female mealybugs Florida in 1954 and subsequently reintroduced in 2002. It is have six legs clearly present, unlike the other scale families. polyphagous and appears to be most prevalent on Schefflera The pink hibiscus mealybug is an extremely polyphagous pest spp. (Araliaceae), but some high populations have been re- of many plants in Florida. It was first introduced in California cently reported on mango. The adult females are approxi- in 1999, and then Florida in 2002. Since its arrival in Florida, mately 3 to 5 mm across and have a star-shaped body. The wax an extensive biological control program has been utilized to of stellate scale is semi-transparent and the body color is pink keep populations managed in natural areas. The pink hibiscus to purplish-red (Hodges, 2002). Adult female philephedra mealybug has a pinkish-red body and bright pink or red eggs. Table 2. Some exotic scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) established in Florida as pests of tropical or subtropical fruits.