1Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, KAU PO, Thrissur680656, Kerala, India
2Division of Germplasam Collection and Characterization, ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bellary Road, Bengaluru560 024, Karnataka, India
*Email: haseena.bhaskar@kau.in (corresponding author):
Purposive surveys were conducted during 2021 to 2025 across different districts of Kerala, South India, to document the tribe Coccini (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) associated with agricultural and horticultural ecosystems. Eight species of Coccini viz., Coccus viridis, C. hesperidium, C. longulus, C. formicarii, Prococcus acutissimus, Kilifia deltoides, Eucalymnatus tessellatus and Trijuba oculata are recorded from Kerala. Their distribution, host range, morphological and taxonomic descriptions are provided. Keys to the genera and species are also provided to facilitate identification. The study reports new geographical distribution for C. formicarii, C. longulus, K. deltoides, E. tessellatus and T. oculata from Kerala. New host plants are also reported for some species.
Coccids, soft scale, Coccini, taxonomy, diversity, host range, distribution, quarantine pest, taxonomy, description
