A key to the flat grass scale genus Nipponaclerda (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Aclerdidae)

By

Schneider, Scott

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

862

Pages

81-87

Subjects

Identification , invasive species , Louisiana , Pest , Phragmites australis , scale insect

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.862.35294

 

Abstract

The flat grass scale genus Nipponaclerda comprises four species, native to Central and East Asia. Nipponaclerdabiwakoensis has been introduced to the United States and is considered a serious pest of Phragmitesaustralis, the common reed. Heavy infestations of N.biwakoensis in coastal marshes of Louisiana have coincided with extensive die-off of reeds. In this article, dichotomous identification keys to the genera of Aclerdidae and to the species of Nipponaclerda are provided, allowing for accurate identification of species found in the native and invasive range.