Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) on apple and neighbouring plants in Eastern Georgia (Sakartvelo)

Abstract

Surveys of the scale insect fauna of East Georgia were carried out in vegetation season (from March to November) during the years 2017 and 2018. A total of fifty-five apple orchards were studied in Kartli and Kakheti regions; 7 of them in Kakheti region and 48 in Shida Kartli region (Gori, Kareli). In Shida Kartli, most apple orchards had been sprayed heavily with chemicals (14 to 22 times). In 2 unsprayed orchards, intensive settlements (level 3) of San Jose scale, Comstockaspis perniciosus (Comstock) (Hemi-ptera: Diaspididae) was noted – Kheltubani (42°04’02”N, 44°09’42”E) and Kere (42°10’31”N, 44°04’51”E). Comstockaspis perniciosus was found in 50 % of the branches and twigs and also on the leaf petioles. As for the remaining orchards, the scale insect infe-stations in Sasireti and Gombori were less intense (level 2), whilst in 19 apple orchards the infestations were very low (level 1). Additionally, neighbouring fields were searched for scale insects. All plants around the apple orchards were searched and checked visually. In total, 51 species of scale insects were recorded: Acanthococcidae (2 spp.), Asterolecaniidae (1 sp.), Coccidae (13 spp.), Cryptococcidae (1 sp.), Diaspidi- dae (18 spp.), Eriococcidae (2 spp.), Kermesidae (1 sp.), and Pseudococcidae (13 spp.).