Abstract On commercial citrus in Morocco, the main armoured scale insect pest (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) is the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell). Other important armoured scale pests are the chaff scale, Parlatoria pergandii Comstock, which growers often confuse with A. aurantii , and the black parlatoria scale, Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas). In recent years, a resurgence of Parlatoria scales, mainly P. ziziphi , has been seen in several commercial groves. Between October 2023 and February 2026, 142 groves (including a few urban amenity trees) in nine provinces were surveyed for scale insects and their associated natural enemies. Low to moderate infestations of P. pergandii and low to high infestations of P. ziziphi were found, mainly on fruits and leaves. To facilitate accurate identification of each of these scales, this article records the field appearance and provides a morphological diagnosis of the slide‐mounted adult female. Natural enemies observed in association with P. pergandii were: one ectoparasitoid wasp, Aphytis hispanicus (Mercet) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), and nine arthropod predators: Chilocorus bipustulatus (Linnaeus), Exochomus ericae (Crotch), E. quadripustulatus (L.), Nephus peyerimhoffi (Sicard); Pharoscymnus setulosus (Chevrolat) and Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae); the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae); Lestodiplosis sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and Typhlodromus phialatus (Athias‐Henriot) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae). Natural enemies associated with P. ziziphi include one endoparasitoid wasp, Comperiella sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and nine arthropod predators: Chilocorus bipustulatus (Linnaeus), Exochomus quadripustulatus (Linnaeus), Nephus (Nephus) peyerimhoffi (Sicard), Nephus (Nephus) ulbrichi (Fürsch), Platynaspis luteorubra (Goeze) and Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae); Cybocephalus sp. (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Cybocephalidae); the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and a predatory mite (Acari: Mesostigmata). Our study indicates that accurate identification and appropriate monitoring of the scale insect populations are crucial to achieve optimal pest control of these pests in citrus orchards.
Abstract A study of 89 avocado ( Persea americana ) orchards in eight provinces in north‐western Morocco was conducted between October 2023 and September 2025 to detect scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae, Diaspididae, Monophlebidae and Pseudococcidae) and their associated natural enemies. The first annotated checklist of 11 scale insect species and of their natural enemies on avocado trees in Morocco is provided. The scale insects recorded were Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus), Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) and Hemiberlesia rapax (Comstock) (Diaspididae); Ceroplastes sinensis Del Gercio, Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner), Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell) and Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Coccidae); Icerya purchasi Maskell and Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) (Monophlebidae); and Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) (Pseudococcidae). Three of these species were sometimes found at moderate infestation levels, which potentially might go on to exceed the economic threshold and warrant control measures: Protopulvinaria pyriformis , I. seychellarum and Pseudococcus longispinus . The other eight species were rare or occurred only at low infestation levels in only a few orchards. The natural enemies found associated with scale insects on the avocado trees are recorded. This article will enable agricultural entomologists in Moroccan avocado orchards to recognize these scale insect species so that control measures may be taken only when necessary. The baseline knowledge provided may help with the development of a proactive pest control programme for the sustainable control of avocado scale insect pests in Morocco, neighbouring countries and other EPPO members.
Abstract This study confirms the establishment of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855), on Madeira Island, Portugal. Field surveys confirmed the presence of both adults and nymphs in urban areas of Funchal. Given the species' extreme polyphagy and the island's high density of economically important crops, the establishment of H. halys poses a substantial threat to local agriculture and native biodiversity. We underscore the urgent need for targeted monitoring and early mitigation strategies.
Abstract The invasive alien planthoppers Pochazia shantungensis and Ricania speculum (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) threaten ornamental plant production across Europe. The rapid spread of these species represents an emerging concern for the European nursery trade and for phytosanitary surveillance, in particular for the ban on ornamental plant export. This study provides the first evidence of their co‐occurrence in a Mediterranean nursery and evaluates their relative abundance, seasonal dynamics and responsiveness to monitoring tools. Sampling was conducted in a nursery in Pistoia (Tuscany, Central Italy) using yellow and green adhesive chromotropic traps from July to November 2025, complemented by Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) calculated after visual surveys. Traps captured 312 individuals of P. shantungensis and 135 of R. speculum , while visual surveys recorded 513 and 53 individuals, respectively, confirming the dominance of P. shantungensis . Yellow traps consistently intercepted more individuals than green traps, with captures being highest near host plants, demonstrating their functional value for early detection and monitoring. Seasonal trends showed a peak in P. shantungensis abundance in mid‐October, with late‐stage nymphs and adults co‐occurring, suggesting a possible bivoltine life cycle under local conditions. These results offer essential insights for integrated pest management in nursery systems and underscore the ecological and operational implications of co‐occurring invasive planthoppers, highlighting the need for targeted monitoring strategies to mitigate potential damage in ornamental plant production.
Abstract The quarantine insect species, the oak lace bug Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832), is reported for the first time from Belarus. Both nymphs and adults were found feeding on English oak ( Quercus robur L.). Further research is required to determine the current distribution and assess the pest status of C. arcuata within the country. This new finding expands the species list of the family Tingidae in Belarus to 34 species.
