Journal of Pest Science (2009) 82, 33-39
George J. Stathas, Panagiotis A. Eliopoulos, George Japoshvili and Dimitris C. Kontodimas (2009)
Phenological and ecological aspects of Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Greece
Journal of Pest Science 82 (1), 33-39
Abstract: The ecology of the coccid Protopulvinaria pyriformis infesting the laurel Laurus nobilis was studied from October 2003 to September 2005 in SW Greece. The coccid is parthenogenetic and oviparous, producing increased amounts of honeydew throughout the year. It settles mainly on the lower leaf surface. The scale overwinters as egg, 1st and 2nd instar nymph and adult and completes several overlapping generations every year. The life cycle was estimated to last in nature ~52 days during winter and 29-33 days during summer. Infestation density ranged between 0.3 and 2.8 live scales per cm2 of leaf surface. Metaphycus helvolus was the only wasp found to parasitize P. pyriformis. Parasitism rate reached 31.2% during the second year of the study. The scale was able to resist parasitization by encapsulating the parasitoid's eggs. Maximum encapsulation rate was estimated up to 23% of the adult scales. Encapsulated eggs ranged from 1 to 5 eggs per adult scale. Predation rate reached 7% and it was attributed to the coccinellid Chilocorus bipustulatus. The above information could be important for planning a sustainable control strategy for this new pest in Greece.
(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): Dimitris C. Kontodimas, Panagiotis A. Eliopoulos, George Japoshvili
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
population dynamics/ epidemiology
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protopulvinaria pyriformis | Laurel (Laurus nobilis) | Greece | ||
| Metaphycus helvolus (parasitoid) | Protopulvinaria pyriformis | Laurel (Laurus nobilis) | Greece | |
| Chilocorus bipustulatus (predator) | Protopulvinaria pyriformis | Laurel (Laurus nobilis) | Greece |
