Journal of Economic Entomology (2010) 103, 1172-1179

J. Magsig-Castillo, J.G. Morse, G.P. Walker, J.L. Bi, P.F. Rugman-Jones and R. Stouthamer (2010)
Phoretic dispersal of armored scale crawlers (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 103 (4), 1172-1179
Abstract: Dispersal and colonization of new areas by armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is achieved by mobile first-instar nymphs, called crawlers, Few studies have considered the actual mechanisms by which crawlers disperse, and although crawlers are capable of actively wandering over short distances (generally <1 m), their dispersal over longer distances has been thought to be wind-mediated. Here, we present evidence of a potentially more important means of dispersal over longer distances (>1 m). We first confirmed that crawlers of four species of Diaspididae [Abgrallaspis aguacatae Evans, Watson and Miller; Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret); Aspidiotus nerii Bouché; and Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock)] have four hairs on the end of each of their legs and that each of these hairs ends in a suction cup-like structure, reminiscent of the attachment structures possessed by phoretic mites. In a controlled environment, using crawlers of A. nerii, we then showed that the crawlers use these structures to attach themselves to three different insect species [Musca domestica L., Cryptolaemus montrozieri Mulsant and Linepithema humile (Mayr)] and can effectively be moved phoretically by these insects. Crawlers can remain attached to flying insects for considerable periods of time, suggesting that this may be an important means of dispersal for armored scale insects. The importance of phoresy for diaspidid dispersal in the field remains to be determined.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Richard Stouthamer, Gregory P. Walker, Paul F. Rugman-Jones, Jian L. Bi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
population dynamics/ epidemiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Diaspidiotus perniciosus
	Aspidiotus nerii
	Hemiberlesia lataniae
	Abgrallaspis aguacatae