Citrus farming is a major source of revenue for large and small-scale farmers in Kenya. Citrus production is confronted with threats from pests and diseases. Surveys of citrus farms in Kilifi, Kwale, Machakos and Makueni counties, Kenya in July/August (dry season) and in November/December (wet season), 2019 were conducted to identify scale insect pests (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) attacking the trees (Sapindales: Rutaceae), and their related biota. A total of 22 scale insect species belonging to four families, namely Diaspididae (armoured scales), Coccidae (soft scales), Pseudococcidae (mealybugs), and Monophlebidae (giant mealybugs) were found infesting citrus trees in the two regions surveyed. Among the scale insects reported, four species were newly introduced in Kenya; three armoured scales Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas), Parlatoria pergandii (Comstock), Aonidiella comperei (McKenzie), and a soft scale, Pulvinaria polygonata (Cockerell). The scale insects were closely associated with predators (coccinellids and lacewings) and attendant ants. This information will be helpful in the development of efficient management strategies against the scale insect pests, thus improving citrus production in Kenya. The scale insect pests identified in this study will be useful to plant quarantine facilities in Kenya to help to prevent and detect accidental introductions of exotic scale insect species.
A survey of citrus orchards was conducted in Kilifi, Kwale, Machakos and Makueni counties, Kenya to collect and identify ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and natural enemies associated with scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) feeding on citrus trees (Sapindales: Rutaceae). Nine ant species were found associated with nine scale insect species feeding on three citrus species (Citrus limon, C. reticulata and C. sinensis) for their honeydew. The ants associated with the scales in the study areas were: Cataulacus brevisetosus (Forel), Camponotus rufiglaucus (Jerdon), Crematogaster castanea (Smith), Cr. sjostedti (Mayr), Monomorium afrum (Andre), Myrmicaria opaciventris (Emery), Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille), Pheidole megacephalla (Fabricius), and Technomyrmex albipes (Fr. Smith). The ant Myrmicaria opaciventris was recorded attending four scale insects’ species: Coccus hesperidum, Co. viridis, Pulvinaria polygonata (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and Pseudococcus cryptus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Kilifi County. Host-plant identities and localities surveyed are also presented. These new data for citrus-growing areas in Kenya will contribute to the development of integrated pest management programs on citrus.
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