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Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118:215-217. 2005. EXOTIC SCALE (: COCCOIDEA) AND (HEMIPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) IN FLORIDA’S TROPICAL FRUITS: AN EXAMPLE OF THE VITAL ROLE OF EARLY DETECTION IN 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 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 , Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green); Natural Area Drive the papaya mealybug, 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, 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 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, , NPDN, SPDN Exotic Scale (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and (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, , 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 muricata L. promotes the early detection of exotic pests through diagnos- Annonaceae Sugar , 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 established in Florida (Thomas, Myrtaceae 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 Passifloraceae Passion fruit Passiflora edulis Sims (currently classified as Hemiptera: and Rutaceae White sapote Casimiroa edulis Llave ). 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 ) 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 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 () 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.

Family Common name Species Yearz Hostsy Aleyrodidae Citrus blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby 1976 Banana, Guava, Mango, Papaya, Sapodilla, Sugar apple, Soursop Aleyrodidae Wooly whitefly Alerothrixus floccosus (Maskell) 1909 Guava, Mango Coccidae Fig wax scale rusci (L.) 1994 Avocado, Guava, Lychee, Mango Coccidae Stellate scale Vinsonia stellifera (Westwood) 2002 Avocado, Jackfruit, Coconut, Mango Coccidae Philephedra scale Philephedra tuberculosa Nakahara & Gill 1985 Guava, Lychee, Papaya Diaspididae Longan scale Thysanofiorinia nephelii (Maskell) 1996 Lychee, Longan Diaspididae None Andaspis punicae (Laing) 1995 Lychee Diaspididae White mango scale Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead 2002 Longan, Mango Lobate lac scale Paratachardina lobata (Chamberlin) 1999 Avocado, Barbados cherry, Carambola, Custard apple, Lychee, Strawberry soursop, Sugar apple, Guava, Cattley guava Pseudococcidae Pink hibiscus mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) 2002 Avocado, Carambola, Custard apple, Coconut, Guava, Mamey sapote, Mango, Passionfruit, Sapo- dilla, Sugar apple, Soursop, Wax jambu Pseudococcidae Papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus 1998 Avocado, Mango, Papaya Williams and Granara de Willink zDenotes year that a pest was first detected in Florida. yMany of these species are polyphagous and may possibly occur on other subtropical or tropical hosts.

216 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118: 2005.

Table 3. Exotic scale (Hemiptera: coccoidea) and whitefly (Hemiptera: aleyrodidae) insects of concern for Florida’s tropical and subtropical fruits.

Family Common name Species Hosts Aleyrodidae spiny whitefly Aleurocanthus spiniferus Quaintance Coconut, Custard apple, Sugar apple Coccidae Ceroplastes destructor Newstead Avocado, Guava, Kiwi Egyptian cottony cushion scale aegyptica (Douglas) Banana, Coconut, Guava, Jackfruit, Papaya, Sugar apple Pseudococcidae Pacific mealybug Planococcus minor (Maskell) Avocado, Banana, Coconut, Custard apple, Guava, Jackfruit, Mango, Passionfruit, Sapodilla, Sugar apple, Soursop

Papaya mealybug is another problematic pest for tropical and extension efforts relating to new or emerging exotic plant subtropical fruits as well as several other ornamental plants. In pest issues, and the University of Florida serves as the regional contrast to the pink hibiscus mealybug, the papaya mealybug center for the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network (SPDN) ht- has a yellow body and yellowish eggs (Walker et al., 2003). tp://spdn.ifas.ufl.edu. The SPDN is one of five regions within Considering the number of exotic scales and whiteflies the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) funded by that have not been introduced into Florida, it is difficult to USDA-CSREES. The NPDN, formed in June 2002, primarily predict the next species of concern. Some examples of poten- links the land grant universities nationwide and serves to as- tial exotic and not established scales and whiteflies of concern sist in the early detection of exotic pests through, a) diagnos- are shown in Table 3. As with the established exotic species in tics, b) information technology, c) training and education, Florida (Table 2), the host range only represents available and d) response exercise scenarios. data relating to subtropical/tropical fruit crops. The orange spiny whitefly has a very similar appearance to the citrus black- Literature Cited , but the white margin of the pupal stage is twice as large. Orange spiny whitefly is of particular concern to citrus (Citrus Ben-Dov, T., D. R. Miller, and G. A. C. Gibson. 2003. ScaleNet http:// spp.), but could also be problematic for several subtropical/ www.sel.barc.usda.gov/scalenet/scalenent.htm (1 June 2005). Gyeltshen, J., A. Hodges, and G. Hodges. 2005. Orange spiny whitefly, Aleu- tropical fruits (Gyeltshen et al., 2005). Ceroplastes destructor is a rocanthus spinifierus Quaintance (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). UF/ large, white wax scale with a body size of approximately 3 to 5 IFAS Featured Creatures. EENY-341 (31 May 2005). http://creatures.if- mm. It is known to be a serious agricultural pest, but some suc- as.ufl.edu/ (31 May 2005). cess has occurred with biological control. The Egyptian cot- Hamon, A. B. 2002. White mango scale, Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Coccoidea: Diaspididae). Fla. Dept. Agric. Consum. Serv. Div. Plant In- tony cushion scale has a grayish-orange body with black legs dustry, Pest Alert http:www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/aulacaspis- and a fluted ovisac with groves. This scale resembles another tubercularis.html (26 May 2005). Margarodidae that commonly occurs in Florida, the cottony Hamon, A. B. and G. J. Mason. 1997. Fig Wax Scale, Ceroplastes rusci (L.) in cushion scale, Maskell. Field specimens of the Florida (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae). Fla. Dept. Agric. and Con- pacific mealybug will appear identical to the citrus mealybug, sum. Serv. Div. Plant Ind., Circ. No. 380. Hodges, G. 2002. Stellate scale, Vinsonia stellifera (Westwood) Coccoidea: Coc- Risso. Both of these mealybugs appear to have cidae. Fla. Dept. Agric. Consum. Serv. Div. Plant Ind. Pest Alert. http:// one broad, dark stripe on the dorsum. www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/v.stellifera.html (26 May 2005). Howard, F. W., R. Pemberton, A. Hamon, G. S. Hodges, B. Steinberg, C. M. Mannion, D. McLean, and J. Wofford. 0000. Lobate lac scale, Paratachar- Agencies Involved in Exotic Pest Issues in Florida dina lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Ker- ridae). UF/IFAS Featured Creatures. EENY-276. http://creatures. Due to the constant influx of exotic pests in Florida, in- ifas.ufl.edu/ (26 May 2005). cluding scales and whiteflies, early detection of exotic pests in Miller, D. R., G. L. Miller, G. S. Hodges, and J. A. Davidson. 2005. Introduced order to eradicate limited population introductions or devel- scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of the United States and their im- pact on U.S. agriculture. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 107:123-158. op appropriate management strategies is essential to Florida’s Nguyen, R., A. B. Hamon, and T. R. Fasulo. 1999. Citrus blackfly, Aleurocan- agriculture. Several organizations are involved in exotic plant thus woglumi Ashby (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). UF/IFAS Fea- pest issues in Florida including the a) USDA-APHIS, b) tured Creatures. http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/ (31 May 2005). FDACS-DPI, and c) University of Florida. Both federal (US- Thomas, M. 2000. The exotic invasion of Florida: A report on im- migration into the sunshine state. http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/ DA-APHIS) and state (FDACS-DPI) government agencies enpp/ento/exoticsinflorida.htm. USDA-APHIS, Agricultural Bioterror- have regulatory responsibilities pertaining to exotic pests. Ad- ism Act of 2002. December 2002. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/per- ditionally, the USDA-APHIS also provides funding for a na- mits/agr_bioterrorism/index.html. tional Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) program. USDA-NASS. 2004 Agriculture statistics (3 June 2005). www.usda.gov/nass/ Individuals employed with USDA-APHIS as well as FDACS- pubs/nassfact.htm. Walker, A., M. Hoy, and D. Meyerdirk. 2003. Papaya mealybug, Paracoccus DPI are integrally associated with Florida’s component of the marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudo- CAPS program. The University of Florida and other land coccidae). UF/IFAS Featured Creatures EENY-302. http://creatures.if- grant universities in the state of Florida conduct necessary as.ufl.edu/ (31 May 2005).

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118: 2005. 217