Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Morocco, infesting citrus orchards and an avocado tree

Abstract

AbstractA study was conducted on citrus and avocado trees in north‐western Morocco between February 2023 and April 2024 to detect scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) and their associated natural enemies. A total of 55 orchards in seven provinces were studied. The Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diaspididae) was found on leaves at two sites: a moderate infestation in one citrus orchard and one specimen on an avocado tree. This work is the first record of the scale insect on avocado in Morocco, and the first morphological description of C. aonidum from the country, based on 100 adult females mounted on microscope slides. Chrysomphalus aonidum is not causing economic damage in citrus or avocado orchards in Morocco. Two ectoparasitoid wasps (Aphytis melinus DeBach and Aphytis sp.; Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), and three predatory beetles (Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell, Chilocorus bipustulatus Linnaeus, and Clitostethus arcuatus Rosso; Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were found associated with C. aonidum on citrus leaves.