Liu, H., Borrero, H., Villate, J., Powell, E.C., Ahmed, M.Z., Owen, M., Palmer-Skok, V., & Skok, A. 2025 Boisduval scale (Diaspis boisduvalii) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in southern Florida: its herbivory on wild orchids and nativity status discussion. Florida Entomologist 108(s1): 20240065

Keywords:

distribution

ecology

host

illustration

phylogenetics

record

Notes: In this study, we expanded on the known Boisduval scale occurrences affecting wild orchids in southern Florida by conducting surveys for the presence of the scale in wetland forests that are known as orchid habitats in three major protected areas. We ask the following four questions: (1) which wild orchid species are impacted, (2) are the parks different in the percentages of plants with Boisduval scale infestation, (3) is the Boisduval scale native or exotic to Florida, and (4) is the Boisduval scale in Florida a cryptic species?
This is the first report of Boisduval scale attacking C. punctatum, the cigar orchid, and D. lindenii, the ghost orchid, two highly endangered orchids of Florida. https://doi.org/10.1515/flaent-2024-0065

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