Pest status of Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) and new records of scale insects from Northern Turkish Republic of Cyprus

摘要

Cyprus has the idealgeographical and climatic conditions for the reproduction and spread of many insect species that accidentally enter thecountry by imported live plant materials. This work was carried out in theTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 2017-2018 as part of the investigationon the harmful species on Babutsa (Opuntiaficus-indica). It was found that Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera:Dactylopiidae) spreads aggressively inthe the cacti cultivated for fruit and also infected some ornamental cacti inFamagusta Province, almost destroyedPrckly pear cactuses of closed Maraş Region. Diaspis echinocacti (Bouch?) was found to be a relatively commonpest species in ornamental cacti. Moreover, ornamental plants in the parks andgardens were severely infected by Pinnaspisaspidiastrae (Signoret) (Diaspidae) and Pulvariafloccifera Westwood (Coccidae). D.echinocacti, P. aspidiastrae and P.floccifera are new records for the insect fauna of Northern TurkishRepublic of Cyprus. Information onbiology, host plants, distribution, damage and control methods of thesespecies, especially in cactuses, are given