Comparative ultrastructure of the scale cover of three Aspidiotus spp. (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and the ovipositor of their two parasitoids using scanning electron microscopy
2016
Serrana, J.M. | Amalin, D.M.
Correct identification of both the target insect pests and their natural enemies is important in biological control management programs. In the recent coconut scale insect (CSI) outbreak in the Philippines, misidentification of the destructive pest population resulted in an unsuccessful biological control attempt. The CSI population was initially identified as Aspidiotus destructor Signoret but further monitored investigation and molecular analysis revealed that Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne was the correct pest species. Although closely-related, these CSI species vary in vulnerability against natural enemies. Specialization in structural defense against the search, attack or development of parasitoids may influence this difference. Possible variability in scale cover structure may provide evidence to explain this variation in susceptibility to natural enemies. This study will investigate the unstructure of the scale cover of three scale insect species present in the Philippines, the CSI - A. destructor Signoret and A. rigidus Reyne, and the oleander scale A. neri (Bouche). On the other hand, interspecific variation in the structure of the ovipositor of their hymenopteran parasitoids may be related to the diversity of hosts that they attack. Hence, the ultrastructure of the ovipositor of the parasitoids directly associated with the two CSI species will be observed to examine if it influences the host specificity of these natural enemies.
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