Drepanococcus chiton (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) – an emerging threat to the endangered medicinal plant, Pseudarthria viscida (L.) Wight & Arn

Oriental Insects 2026

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Authors: Haseena Bhaskar, Sunil Joshi, Sindhu P.V., Desavath Gouthami, Melvin Mohan, Lekshmi Sekhar, Pallot Sindhumole
DOI: 10.1080/00305316.2026.2613395
Cited by: 0
References: 12

Abstract

The medicinal plant, Pseudarthria viscida (L.) (Fabaceae), is a major ingredient in ayurvedic medicines and is one of the 100 medicinal plants of conservation concern in South India. This paper documents a severe infestation of a soft scale, Drepanococcus chiton (Green) for the first time on P. viscida. The field and taxonomic characters of the pest are detailed with notes on the nature of damage and symptoms. This would allow early detection of the pest in the field, and for appropriate control measures to be taken. Three ant species viz. Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius), Crematogaster dohrni (Mayr) and Camponotus sericeus (Fabricius) were recorded in association with the scale insect.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Research on scale insects Hemiptera Insect Studies Forest Insect Ecology and Management

Publication details

Journal / source
Oriental Insects
Volume
60
Issue
3
Pages
386–396
Publication date
18 January 2026
Language
EN