Description of a new pest species of Hemilecanium Newstead (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on mango from Thailand, and a key to species of the genus

Abstract

The adult female and first-instar nymph of a new species of soft scale insect, Hemilecanium mangiferae Kondo & Williams sp. nov., are described and illustrated. This species was collected on the trunk and branches of mango, Mangifera indica L., in Nakhon Fathom and Sukhothai Provinces, Thailand. The insect can cause serious damage by depleting the host sap and by producing large amounts of honeydew on which sooty molds grow. Damage was severe on the local mango cultivar, Nam DokMai. Also included are a revised diagnosis of the genus, a revised key to the adult females of the five species currently placed in the genus, and a key to the known first-instar nymphs. Copyright © 2005 Magnolia Press.