Suresh, S., & Kavitha, P.C. 2008 New records of Coccoidea in India.. Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies, Oeiras, Portugal, 24-27 September 2007. ISA Press Lisbon, Portugal 322 pp.

Notes: Coccids are some of the most destructive pesLs in horticultural crops in India. More than six hundred species have been recorded. A survey conducted during 2005 to 2007, recorded four species for the first time in India, viz., Phenacoccus solani Ferris, P. solenopsis Tinsley, Ferrisia malvastra (McDaniel) on cotton, and Conchaspis angraeci Cockerell on vanilla. Among them, the Solenopsis mealybug. P. solenopsis WaS the most destructive. Studies were undertaken on its host range, seasonal incidence, population dynamics, influences of weather factors, natural enemies and evaluation of insecticides. More than thirty plant species have been recorded as hosts. Cotton and parthenrum were found to be the more preferred hosts. Peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and chitinase levels varied in the infested leaves of cotton. Maximum temperature and sunshine hours had a positive influence, while relative humidity and rainfall had a negative influence on the population build up of mealybug. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Scymnus coccivora and Harmonia octomaculata were the predominant coccinellids responsible for population reduction. Among the insecticides tested, imidacloprid, profenophos, acephate, chorpyriphos and thiomethoxam were found to be effective in the laboratory but only moderately so in the field.