First encounters with five non-native diaspidids in India

Abstract

This paper focuses on the records of alien scale insects and their possible spread and probable threat to agricultural, horticultural crops and ornamentals grown indoors and outdoors. The scale insects were mostly collected in open fields, and indoor plants grown in residential and office areas. New records of the following alien armoured scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) are presented: Duplaspidiotus claviger (Cockerell), Lepidosaphes laterochitinosa Green, Kuwanaspis howardi (Cooley), Rutherfordia malloti (Rutherford) and Aulacaspis alisiana Takagi. Each of the five species is diagnosed with a combination of unique field and mounted identification characters. Ecological information on host plants, distribution, and economic importance is furnished.