Chrysomphalus

Ashmead, 1880

Species Guides

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Chrysomphalus is a of armored scale insects in the Diaspididae, containing approximately 17 described . The genus includes several economically significant agricultural pests, notably ( or Egyptian black ) and Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Spanish red scale), which infest citrus and other fruit crops worldwide. These sedentary insects possess protective waxy coverings and are targeted in programs using agents including lady beetles and .

The Coccidae of California; a descriptive list of the different scale insects found in and reported from California (1906) (20635005726) by Carnes, Edward K; California. State Horticultural Commission. Used under a No restrictions license.Annual report of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, 1908 (1909) (19338281576) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chrysomphalus: /ˌkrɪsoʊmˈfæɫəs/

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Distribution

The has a distribution with recorded across six continents. occurs in Europe (Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain), Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, Yemen), Africa (Algeria, Burundi, Comoros, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Réunion, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe), North America (USA, Mexico), Central America and Caribbean, South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela), and Oceania (Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa). Chrysomphalus dictyospermi has similarly broad distribution across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, North America, Central America, and South America. Chrysomphalus ficus has been recorded from Asia, Africa, Australasia, North America, Central America, Caribbean, and South America.

Host Associations

  • Citrus - primary Major for multiple including C. aonidum, C. dictyospermi, and C. ficus
  • coconut - Recorded for C. aonidum
  • palms - for C. aonidum and C. dictyospermi
  • deciduous fruit trees - for C. dictyospermi
  • shrubs - for C. dictyospermi
  • Yucca decipiens - Recorded for C. aonidum in India
  • Eucalyptus - alternative Alternative for C. ficus in Palestine

Human Relevance

Multiple Chrysomphalus are significant agricultural pests causing economic damage to citrus production and other fruit crops. (/Egyptian black ) and C. dictyospermi (Spanish red scale) are particularly important targets of pest management programs. Control methods have historically included , with timing adjusted to regional climate conditions. using natural enemies is widely employed; documented include Curinus coeruleus (metallic blue ladybeetle), and include Comperiella bifasciata and Comperiella pia. The protective armor of these scales reduces , with consumption rates by C. coeruleus reaching 64-68% on armored individuals versus 100% on unarmored individuals within 24 hours. Research has investigated , temperature effects on development, and chemical control impacts on parasitoid .

Similar Taxa

  • AonidiellaBoth contain circular infesting citrus; Aonidiella aurantii (California red scale) is sympatric with Chrysomphalus species and mutual or competitive interactions have been observed in field conditions
  • CoccusBoth are insect pests of citrus with overlapping ranges and geographic distributions; Coccus hesperidum (soft brown scale) has been studied alongside C. aonidum for comparative parameters

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