گزارش دو دشمن طبیعی از روی شپشک Phenacoccus solani Ferris از نورآباد ممسنی، استان فارس

During studies on scale insects in Noorabad Mamsani city in Fars province, a scale insect species was observed on Ivy plants (Hedera sp.). It was active on the host plant throughout the year from April to mid-autumn. The insect had infected most of the terminal buds and caused the plant to turn yellow and reduce its growth. Taxonomic study revealed identity of species as Phenacoccus solani Ferris (Hem. Pseudococcidae). This species was reported for the first time from Shiraz and Isfahan in Iran in 2004. Adult females are oval in shape and more than 3 mm long and covered with white powder and short filaments around the body. During visits and observations in April 2024, two species of predatory insects were observed feeding on P. solani. The predators were identified as follows.
1- The ladybeetle Scymnus (Pullus) syriacus Marseul (Col.: Coccinellidae) was first collected in larval stage during feeding on the P. solani and then reared to adulthood. The pupation period of ladybeetle was about a week. Then the adult insect was studied and identified. This species has already been reported on scale insects in Iran. For example, it has also collected on Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) in Khuzestan province. The distribution range of this species is in the eastern Mediterranean regions.
2- A species of predatory bug was also observed and collected while feeding on P. solani which was infected Ivy plants. It was identified as Orius albidipennis (Reuter) (Hem.: Anthocoridae). This species was previously reported from different provinces of Iran.