Biology and seasonal fluctuation of cottony camellia scale, Pulvinaria (Chloropulvinaria) floccifera (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Citrus orchards of northern Iran

Cottony camellia scale, Pulvinaria floccifera Westwood is almost cosmopolitan having beenspread widely by the plant trade. This soft scale is one of the most important scales of citrus orchards in Mazandaran and Guilan provinces. The biology and seasonal fluctuation of pest was studied in natural conditions in the West of Mazandaran. Furthermore, the biology of this soft scale was studied in laboratory condition. To study population dynamics, 10 leaves from each five Thomson navel orange trees, Citrus sinensis L. were taken every two weeks. P. floccifera completed one generation per year, hibernating as an adult insect. The last overwintering females were observed in early June and Middle May in 2009 and 2010, respectively. First instar nymphs appeared in middle July and late June. Second instar nymphs were first observed in early August and middle July, peaked in last August and last July in 2009 and 2010, respectively, whereas the third instar nymphs peaked in late September and late August. The complete life cycle of females required 58.2±2.1 days in the laboratory conditions, 25±10ºC, 70-80% RH, and 14:10 (L:D). Number of eggs in egg sac ranged from 445 to 680. Data showed that the ladybirds Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Chilocorus bipustulatus Gordon feed on P. floccifera. This study revealed that P. floccifera is present in all citrus plants sampled in the area of study in Mazandaran and Guilan provinces.