EPPO Bulletin (2015) 45, 128-132

G.J. Stathas, P.J. Skouras and D.C. Kontodimas (2015)
Data on ecology of the purple scale Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman) on citrus in Greece
EPPO Bulletin 45 (1), 128-132
Abstract: The ecology of the purple scale Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) was studied on citrus, in the area of Kalamata (Messinia - Peloponnese) from May 2009 to May 2011. Observations on infested citrus branches were conducted to study the phenology of the scale. Yellow sticky traps were hung in infested trees and examined to monitor the flights of male L. beckii as well as the flights of adults of parasitoids and predators of this pest. Lepidosaphes beckii mainly infested the leaves and fruits and to a lesser extent the shoots and stems. During the period of the study all developmental stages of L. beckii were found. Sticky transparent band traps were also placed on shoots and were examined to monitor the fluctuation in the population of crawlers. From the crawlers caught in the traps three population peaks were recorded in June, August and October. Natural enemies of the scale consisted of the parasitoids Aphytis lepidosaphes Compère and Encarsia sp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), which together parasitized up to 32% of L. beckii as well as the predators Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) and Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Panagiotis J. Skouras, Dimitris C. Kontodimas

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lepidosaphes beckii	Citrus (genus)	Greece
Rhyzobius lophanthae (predator)	Lepidosaphes beckii	Citrus (genus)	Greece
Chilocorus bipustulatus (predator)	Lepidosaphes beckii	Citrus (genus)	Greece
Aphytis lepidosaphes (parasitoid)	Lepidosaphes beckii	Citrus (genus)	Greece