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Research Project: Exotic Whitefly Pests of Vegetables and Ornamental Plants

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Title: Developing strategies to manage a new invasive pest species, the Phantasma Scale (Fiorinia phantasma Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Author
item RODA, AMY - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item McKenzie, Cindy
item ROHRIG, ERIC - Florida Department Of Agriculture
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida
item AHMED, MUHAMMAD - Florida Department Of Agriculture

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2019
Publication Date: 7/21/2019
Citation: Roda, A., McKenzie, C.L., Rohrig, E., Osborne, L., Ahmed, M.Z. 2019. Developing strategies to manage a new invasive pest species, the Phantasma Scale (Fiorinia phantasma Hemiptera: Diaspididae)[abstract]. Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting, July 21-24, 2019, Jupiter, Florida.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The phantasma scale (Fiorinia phantasma Cockerell & Robinson, Diaspididae: Hemiptera) is a significant pest of at least 24 families and 44 genera of nursery and ornamental plants, as well as several fruit crops. The scale was first detected in Miami-Dade Country March 1, 2018 and recently in nurseries in West Palm Beach County. An immediate mitigation strategy is needed to help contain the spread of the pest and protect landscape and native plants as well as high value nursery stock. In Miami, the scale has been found on 16 palm and 5 ornamental plant species, with the highest populations occurring on Phoenix palms. Monthly evaluations of phantasma scale populations on Tahina palms (Tahina spectabilis) located in a planting in Coral Gables, Florida showed that the mean percentage of canopy infestation increased from 12% to 25% in 6 months. Natural enemies have been found to attack the scale, including Cecidomyiidae, Syrphidae, Chrysopidae, Coccinellidae, and Phytoseiidae predators as well as parasitoids. Current efforts are focused on finding immediate solutions for growers by testing labeled insecticides as well as possible landscape level solutions by determining the impact of the local natural enemies. Additionally, taxonomic keys are being developed for timely and accurate insect identification.