Date of Award
5-2015
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Legacy Department
Entomology
Committee Chair/Advisor
Juang-Horng Chong
Committee Member
Alfred G. Wheeler
Committee Member
Robert G Bellinger
Committee Member
William C. Bridges
Abstract
Soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccidae) are some of the most prevalent and difficult to control arthropod pests in urban landscapes of the southern United States. European fruit lecanium, Parthenolecanium corni (Bouche), and oak lecanium, Parthenolecanium quercifex (Fitch), are commonly found in mixed populations as pests of oak trees (Quercus spp.) in the region. The phenology and natural enemies of the two species are poorly understood, which in turn hinders pest managers' ability to develop an integrated management program against these species. This research project aims to fill the information gaps concerning the life history and natural enemies of P. corni and P. quercifex. The first study sought to better understand the life history of P. corni and P. quercifex in South Carolina, and to develop predictive models (based on degree-day and plant phenological indicators) for crawler emergence in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The scale insects were found to be univoltine. Eggs hatched between mid-April and early June, second instars began to occur in October, and third instars and adults in mid-March to early April. Each parthenogenetic female produced 177 to 2,398 eggs. Fecundity was found to be proportional to weight of females (including eggs) and body length, width and height.
Recommended Citation
Robayo Camacho, Ernesto, "Life History and Natural Enemies of Parthenolecanium spp. in Four Southeastern States" (2015). All Dissertations. 1525.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/1525