Pseudaulacaspis rubra (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), reported for the frst time in Florida, United States, with an identifcation key

Abstract

An invasive armored scale, Pseudaulacaspis rubra (Maskell, 1898) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), was detected in the Western Hemisphere for the first time in January 2025. This species was found in abundance on mature mango trees (Mangifera indica L.) (Anacardiaceae) planted in the landscape in suburban Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA. Habitus and slide-mounted images are provided. A natural enemy,the larva of a Cybocephalus sp. (Coleoptera: Cybocephalidae) beetle, was observed feeding on an adult female
under the test. Herein we provide an updated species diagnosis for P. rubra with discussion on morphological variation and a key to slide-mounted adult females of four Pseudaulacaspis MacGillivray species present in Florida and two species of Albastaspis MacGillivray intercepted in Florida, with illustrations of each. We also provide host data for all Florida specimens of Pseudaulacaspis and Albastaspis in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods as well as novel sequence data for two species (P. rubra and Albastaspis coloisuvae (Williams
and Watson)) treated in the study.