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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #203002
Title: HOST PLANT RANGE OF LOBATE LAC SCALE, PARATACHARDINA LOBATA, IN FLORIDA.

Author
item HOWARD, FOREST - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item Pemberton, Robert
item HODGES, GREG - FL DEPT OF AGR& CONSUMER
item STEINBERG, BRYANT - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item MCCLEAN, DAVID - NOVA SE UNIVERISTY
item LIU, HONG - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Proceedings of Florida State Horticultural Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2006
Publication Date: 2/9/2007
Citation: Howard, F.W., Pemberton, R.W., Hodges, G., Steinberg, B., Mcclean, D., Liu, H. 2007. Host plant range of lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata, in Florida. Proceedings of Florida State Horticultural Society. 119:398-408.

Interpretive Summary: A list of host plant species of lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Kerriidae), in southern Florida was compiled from the authors’ observations and records of the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. This scale insect was found on 309 plant species, nearly all of which are dicotyledonous trees, shrubs, and lianas. Hosts included plant species grown for fruits and as ornamentals, several weeds, and eighty-five species native to southern Florida. In addition to tropical plants, which predominate in this region, it was found on many temperate zone plants whose ranges extend to southern Florida. Seventeen plant species were consistently highly infested at different sites, and are thus considered highly susceptible; of these, ten are plants native to Florida.

Technical Abstract: The lobate lac scale (Paratacharidina lobata) is a serious pest of woody native and ornamental plants in Florida and the Bahamas. This insect, which is native to India and Sri Lanka, was known to attack many plants the number of plants it attacked in Florida was unknown. Field observation and field survey were used to detect host plants of the lobate lac scale. This data and the Florida State Collection of Arthropods records of plants attacked by the lobate were compiled to create a host plant list for this insect. A total of 309 species of shrubs, trees and lianas were defined as hosts of the scale. Hosts included 85 plants native to southern Florida, and many species grown as ornamentals and fruit production. The host plants are mostly tropical species but some temperate species which extend into southern Florida were also hosts. Seventeen species were consistently highly infested. This indicates the extremely broad host range of the insect, one of the broadest of any known pests. The list may be used by horticulturalist and landscape specialist to recognize susceptible horticultural species including the most susceptible plants whichshould be now avoided in new plantings unless regular treatment for the scale can be done. Managers of natural areas will be alerted to more vulnerable species on their lands.