First record of Coccus hesperidum L. (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in industrial hemp in Kentucky

Authors

  • Raul T Villanueva University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology, P.O. Box 469, Princeton, Kentucky 42445, USA
  • Nicole Gauthier University of Kentucky, Department of Plant Pathology, 201 Plant Science Building, Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0312, USA
  • Muhammad Z. Ahmed Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, 1911 S.W. 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA

Abstract

This article is the first report on the phytophagous activity of C. hesperidum on hemp plants grown in greenhouses in Kentucky, USA. Hemp plants were grown in a greenhouse where ornamental plant species were previously grown but were not present at the same time. Coccus hesperidum may have been carried by wind because greenhouse windows were kept open. Coccus hesperidum successfully fed and reproduced on the stems and leaves of hemp. After 2 wk a single plant, kept in laboratory for further studies, died as a consequence of the feeding damage caused by a large population of scales. As hemp is expanding to different production areas, C. hesperidum might be a potential pest for hemp grown in greenhouses. The surveillance and early detection of C. hesperidum will contribute to the production of healthy hemp plants to be planted in open fields, especially in southern states of the USA.

Sumario

Este artículo es el primer reporte sobre la actividad fitófaga de C. hesperidum en plantas cáñamo cultivadas en el invernadero en Kentucky, USA. Las plantas de cáñamo crecieron en un invernadero donde se mantuvieron ornamentales anteriormente pero no estuvieron presentes mientras se cultivaba cáñamo. Coccus hesperidum pudo haber ingresado al invernadero por las ventanas que se mantuvieron abiertas. Coccus hesperidum fue capaz de alimentarse y reproducirse en los tallos y hojas de cáñamo. Después de dos semanas una planta que se mantuvo en el laboratorio murió a consecuencia del daño causado por un gran número de C. hesperidum. La vigilancia y detección temprana de C. hesperidum va a contribuir con una producción de plantas sanas que serán trasplantada en campo abierto especialmente en los estados de sur de USA.

Key Words: Cannabis sativa; hemp; brown soft scale; new pests; feminized seeds

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Published

2021-01-18

Issue

Vol. 103, No. 4 (December 2020)

Section

Scientific Notes

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