Department of Agricultural Entomology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641003, Tamil Nadu, (India).
Among a total of 95 species under 12 families, ten species of coccids belonging to the genera Pulvinaria, Aspidiotus, Aulacaspis, Chionaspis, Morganella, Parlatoria, Anomalococcus, Criniticoccus, Maconellicoccus and Pseudococcus were new to science. Seven species, viz., Aulacaspis martini Williams, Chionaspis broughae Williams, Morganella cueroensis (Cockerell), Ferrisia consobrina Williams, Parlatoria citri McKenzie and Aspidiotus cochereaui (Williams & Watson) were recorded for the first time in India and two species, viz., Drosicha dalbergiae (Green) and Perissopneumon phyllanthi (Green) were recorded for the first time in South India. In Cerococcidae, Cerococcus indicus was recorded on P. madraspatensis while in Coccidae, C. bivalvata, Ceroplates ceriferus, C. jloridensis, C. rubens, Ceroplastodes cajani, Coccus acutissimus, C. hesperidum, C. longulus, C. ophiorrhizae, C. piperis, C. viridis, Pulvinaria psidii, P. vitis, S. coffeae, S. nigra, and V. stellifera were predominant. In Diaspididae, Aonidiella aurantii, A. inornata, A. orientalis, A. cocheraeui, Aspidiotus destructor, H. rapax, H. lataniae, M. longispina, P. cinerea, P. citri, P. pergandii, P. aspidistrae, P. strachni, and P. duplex were predominant. In Lacciferidae, P. lobata was predominant. Among the margarodids, I. pilosa on grasses, and I. seychellarum and L. polei on fruit trees were predominant. O. insignis was severe in annuals and herbs. Among the mealybugs, A. graminis, A. maritima were severe in graminaceous weeds; F. virgata on many hosts; P. citri on fruits and forest trees; P. liIacinus on trees and ferns; while R. inceryoides was severe on Cycas, Albiuia, silk cotton, lablab and C. macrophylla. In India, the new host plant records for various coccoid pest species include: Clitoria ternata, Achyranthus aspera, Abutilon and Pavonia sp. for Ceroplastodes cajani; mango for Coccus piperis, Paralecaneum expansum and Aulacaspis martini, C. ternata and Abutilon for Ceroplastodes chiton; Areca lutescens and Cycas sp. for Coccus acutissimus; cardamom and Lantana for Coccus viridis; A. lutescens, Cenchrus sp., Callandra sp., Filicum discrepans, and Murraya paniculata for Pulvinaria psidii; teak, cinnamon and nutmeg for Saissetia nigra; sweet orange for Saissetia oleae; physicnut, sapota, ber and guava for Vinsonia stellifera; Nerium for Aonidiella aurantii; guava and Nerium for Aonidiella inornata; Vernonia elegans, Acalypha indica, West Indian cherry, Anona, curry leaf and teak for Aonidiella orientalis; Millingtonia, sandal wood, Tuxus semiperivense and Chinese glossy pivet for Aspidiotus cochereaui; grasses, Acalypha, jack, curry leaf, Morinda, sandal wood; Pavonia and Anona for Aspidiotus destructor; Casuarina and Nerium for Aspidiotus nerii; Ficus for Aulacaspis rosarum; Palmarosa, Cenchrus ciliaris, C. glauca, Cyperus sp., curry leaf, coconut and Ficus sp. for Chionaspis broughae; Achyranthus aspera and Citrus for Hemiberlesia lataniae; A. aspera, rain tree drum stick, neem, and jack for Hemiberlesia rapax; Citrus for Lepidosaphes ulmi; Leucas aspera for Marganella cueroensis; neem for Parlatoria cinerea; jasmine for Parlatoria pergandii; jasmine, Manoranjitham, Erythrina indica, curry leaf, Palmarosa, Cenchrus ciliaris, C. glauca, Cynodon dactylon, Panicum sp., Thespesia sp. and Niphabolus fissus for Pinnaspis strachani; Cupressus sp. for Eriococcus araucariae; Cenchrus ciliaris, C. glauca; Cynodon dactylon and Panicum sp. for Icerya pilosa; Anona and Barlaria for Icerytl'seychellarum; rain tree and subabul (Lucaeana) for Perissopneumon phyllanthi; Eupatorium for Orthezia insignis; Cenchrus ciliaris and Cymbopogon maritini for Antonina maritima; Clitoria sp., Cenchrus sp., Cyperus sp. and Cynodon dactylon for Coccidohystrix insolita; Manoranjitham, West Indian cherry, Bauhinia, Hardwickia, Glyricidia, rubber, Vernonia, Sisso, Polyalthia, rain tree and Tecoma stans for Planococus citri; Cyperus sp., Cynodon dactylon and Cymbopogon martini for Psudococcus pulverarius; Mosanda, Albizzia, silk cotton, Pongamia glabra, Cycas sp. and Coneophora macrophylla for Rastrococcus iceryoides; Cymbopogon citrodora, C. martini, Cynodon dactylon and Cyperus for Saccharicoccus sacchari; and about 35 hosts including 30 ferns as alternate hosts for the pest Pseudococcus longispinus.
