Occurrence of Lecanodiaspis dendrobii (Hemiptera: Lecanodiaspididae) and the associated parasitoid Cephaleta sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in african mahogany in Brazil

Abstract

The expansion of African mahogany cultivation in Brazil, as well as other exotic species, refers to the appearance of pests and diseases previously unreported in the literature. In this sense, samples suspected of containing a new species of cochineal species attacking the bark, branches and stems of African mahogany plants and parasitized by a microhimenopter, were collected in a ten hectare plantation with five years of age on a farm in the municipality of Cantá, Roraima state, Brazil. The sampled material contained lecanodiaspididae in all stages of development, eggs, nymphs and adults, both male and female, which were identified as Lecanodiaspis dendrobii Douglas, 1892 (Hemiptera: Lecanodiaspididae). The associated parasitoid was identified as Cephaleta sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) presenting great potential in the biological control of Lecanodiaspis dendrobii. This is the first attack record of Lecanodiaspis dendrobii (Hemiptera: Lecanodiaspididae) and the associated parasitoid Cephaleta sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in African mahogany in Brazil.

Keywords:
Khaya ivorensis; Forest entomology; Insect pest