In September 2012, leaves of Solidago canadensis with typical symptoms of rust were collected in the Botanical Garden of Yashvantrao Chavan Institute of Science, Satara (MS, India). The rust was identified as Coleosporium asterum. This rust is recorded on S. canadensis in India for the first time.

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Uredinial and telial stages of rust pathogen Puccinia duthiae are described on a new host grass species, Dichanthium foveolatum, for the first time from a range of the Western Ghats in Satara District, Maharashtra, India.

The notoriously destructive and invasive soft scale, Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comstock (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), is recorded for the first time from India. The scale is redescribed to facilitate its identification and information on its host range, natural enemies and distribution is provided. An identification key to the Indian species in this genus is given. Management options in the event of an outbreak are discussed briefly. The establishment of this scale insect warrants special attention in India as it is a potentially damaging plant pest and has a broad host range across many plant families.

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