Silent foray of Three Soft Scale Insects in India

This study documents three scale insects, viz. Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Trijuba oculata (Bain) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and Protopulvinaria longivalvata Green (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from India as new entrants. All these insects are polyphagous and attack several economically important plant species. K. acuminata has been reported from important plant genera like Artocarpus, Eugenia, Psidium, Syzigium, Passiflora, Coffea, Citrus, Litchi and Manilkara, while T. oculata has been reported to infest Annona, Ficus and Vitis. P. longivalvata has been recorded on important crops, viz. Mangifera, Psidium, Syzigium, Piper, Coffea, Citrus and Camelia. Brief diagnostic characters in live and mounted condition are provided. Information about host range, distribution and natural enemies of these scale insects is also furnished. New plant host records for scales and new host-parasitoid association have been documented. Possibilities of these scale insects becoming serious pests and a threat to economically important plants are also discussed.