A new invasive Lepidosaphes armored scale (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) for Florida: first records, natural enemies, and an identification key

Abstract

The invasive armored scale, Lepidosaphes laterochitinosa Green 1925 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha:Diaspididae), was found in the Florida landscape for the first time in November 2022 and is now known from two south Florida counties: Broward and Miami-Dade. In Florida thus far, this polyphagous species has been found on Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl. (Araceae), Dracaena Vand. ex. L. (Asparagaceae), and Breynia disticha J.R.Forst. and G.Forst. (Phyllanthaceae), all common landscape ornamentals. New parasitoid host records are provided for Encarsia lounsburyi (Berlese and Paoli), Encarsia citrina (Craw), and Aphytis lingnanensis Compere (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) that emerged from L. laterochitinosa in Broward County, Florida, USA. A key to slide-mounted adult females of the 12 species of Lepidosaphes Shimer present or commonly intercepted in Florida is provided, together with an illustration of each species, and plant host records for these species from the Florida State Collection of Arthropods.