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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #192772
Title: HOST ACCEPTANCE TRIALS OF KERRIA LACCA (KERRIIDAE) PARASITOIDS FROM NORTHERN THAILAND ON THE PEST LOBATE LAC SCALE (PARATACHARDINA LOBATA) (KERRIIDAE) IN FLORIDA.

Author
item Pemberton, Robert
item NGUYEN, R - FLORIDA DEPT AGRIC. & CON
item WINOTAI, A - DEPT AGRIC. OF THAILAND
item HOWARD, F - UNIV. OF FLORIDA IFAS

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2006
Publication Date: 9/22/2006
Citation: Pemberton, R.W., Nguyen, R., Winotai, A., Howard, F.W. 2006. Host acceptance trials of kerria lacca (kerriidae) parasitoids from northern thailand on the pest lobate lac scale (paratachardina lobata) (kerriidae) in florida.. Florida Entomologist. 89:336-339.

Interpretive Summary: The lobate lac scale (Paratacharidina lobata) is a serious pest of woody native and ornamental plants in Florida and the Bahamas, which is native to India and Sri Lanka. A biological control research program is underway to attempt to control. The first approach being followed is to find and evaluate natural enemies, particularly parasitoids, from its native region. The second approach is to acquire and evaluate parasitoids of commercial lac scale (Kerria lacca). The second approach was undertaken because P. lobata and its parasitoids are rare in the native area, whereas K. lacca and its natural enemies could be more readily found and obtained. Collections were made of the commercial lac scale (Kerria lacca) in northern Thailand and twigs infested with the scale were imported to the Florida State Quarantine. Four parasitoids and two predaceous moths were reared from these K. lacca infested twigs. All parasitoids were provided an opportunity to attack P. lobata but none of the parasitoids accepted this pest scale as a host. Parasitoids of P. lacca from its native India or Sri Lanka probably have more promise as potential biological control agents of this pest.

Technical Abstract: No Technical Abstract because this ms. is a scientific note.