Pseudaulacaspis

Macgillivray, 1921

Species Guides

1

Pseudaulacaspis is a of armored scale insects (Diaspididae) comprising at least 60 described . The most extensively studied species, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (white peach ), is a pest of global economic importance affecting fruit trees, ornamentals, and other plants. Members of this genus possess the characteristic hard, waxy protective covering (test) typical of armored scales.

Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli by (c) ncb1221, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by ncb1221. Used under a CC-BY license.Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli by (c) Hayes Valentine, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Hayes Valentine. Used under a CC-BY license.Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli by no rights reserved, uploaded by Nonbinary-Naturalist. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pseudaulacaspis: /ˌsjʊdɔːləˈkæspɪs/

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Distribution

distribution documented for P. pentagona across six continents including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, North America, Central America and Caribbean, and South America. P. cockerelli similarly exhibits wide geographic range across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Central America, and Oceania.

Host Associations

  • Mangifera indica - P. cockerelli
  • Nerium oleander - P. cockerelli
  • various palms - P. cockerelli
  • peach - P. pentagona
  • apricot - P. pentagona
  • kiwi - P. pentagona
  • mulberry - P. pentagona
  • various fruit trees - P. pentagona
  • ornamentals - P. pentagona
  • potato - P. pentagona
  • blackcurrant - P. pentagona

Human Relevance

P. pentagona is a significant agricultural pest causing yield losses and quality reduction in multiple crops. Insecticidal control is difficult due to the protective waxy armor. The has been used extensively in laboratories for mass-rearing of and . Studies have investigated bacteria (Bacillus pumilus, Brevibacillus brevis, Bacillus megaterium) as biocontrol agents, with mortality rates of 41.68% to 89.04% observed under controlled conditions.

Sources and further reading