Dimetry, N.Z., & Abdel-Moniem, A.S.H. 2004 Physical and chemical variability in sugarcane fields infested with the red-striped soft scale insect, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Newstead).. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection 37(4): 327-337.

Notes: The red-striped soft scale insect Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Hemiptera: Coccidae) started to infest sugarcane plants (Saccharum officinarum) in different districts of Egypt during the last decade. The percentage of infestation was recorded in El-Wakf area, Qena Governorate (Naghhamadi mill zone) in Upper Egypt in some fields. There were three levels of infestation, i.e. low, intermediate and high. From these fields, samples were selected for physical and chemical studies. The results showed that the stalks of infested plants decreased in weight and the sugar content (glucose and sucrose) was drastically reduced. The primary and secondary humidity and the cellulose content also increased in the healthy plants compared to the infested ones. All the physical characters of the infested plants were significantly affected in comparison with the healthy ones.