Diaspididae (Hemiptera, Coccoidea) in sori of two fern species

Abstract

Abstract. This note reports the presence of two scale insects species Hemiberlesia palmae (Cockerell) and Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) (Coccoidea, Diaspididae), associated respectively with Asplenium serratum L. (Aspleniaceae) and Niphidium crassifolium (L.) Lellinger (Polypodiaceae). It is the first record of a fern species as host plant of H. palmae. In both fern species, the diaspidids were found nearby the sori.