SCALE INSECTS (HEMIPTERA COCCOIDEA) ON MULBERRY TREES IN TURKEY

Abstract

In Turkey commonly cultivated mulberry species are Morus alba L., M. nigra L., and M. rubra L (Moraceae). Mulberry fruits are widely consumed freshly or as traditional products such as mulberry molasses and mulberry dried fruit pulp. Mulberry leaves are used for sericulture. In this study, scale pests of mulberry trees were investigated mainly in Ankara and some other regions in Turkey. Eight scale insect species namely Ceroplastes japonicus Green, C. rusci (L.), Neopulvinaria innumerabilis (Rathvon), Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché) (Coccidae), Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targioni-Tozzetti (Diaspididae), Phenacoccus aceris (Signoret), Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana) (Pseudococcidae) were found on the Morus spp. P. pentagona was the most common and important pest species of the mulberry trees in research area. Populations of C.japonicus, N. innumerabilis, and P.comstocki are found at very high levels in some local gardens.