Plant Protection Science (2017) 53, 1-14

Ramzi Mansour, Kaouthar Grissa-Lebdi, Pompeo Suma, Gaetana Mazzeo and Agatino Russo (2017)
Key scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of high economic importance in a Mediterranean area: host plants, bio-ecological characteristics, natural enemies and pest management strategies – a review
Plant Protection Science 53 (1), 1-14
Abstract: Key scale insects that have long been considered as having high economic importance in Tunisia and for which several research studies and pest management programs have been undertaken include the mealybug species Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Planococcus citri Risso, the soft scale Saissetia oleae (Olivier) and the armoured scale Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas). The host plants, bio-ecological aspects, auxiliary fauna of each of the aforementioned species as well as the related economic losses and pest management strategies adopted are explored and discussed. Among these species, P. ficus is considered herein as the most economically important in Tunisia. Still, the present contribution constitutes the first review article on key scale insects infesting plants in the South Mediterranean Maghreb area.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Pompeo Suma, Agatino Russo

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
review

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Planococcus citri		Tunisia
	Saissetia oleae	Citrus (genus)	Tunisia
	Parlatoria ziziphi	Citrus (genus)	Tunisia
	Planococcus ficus		Tunisia