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Planococcus Ferris (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) is a genus of mealybug containing 49 species worldwide. Many species of Planococcus are important pests of agricultural crops. Surveys have been set up in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra-Indonesia, on coffee plantations, in 2023. Planococcus bengkuluensis Zarkani & Kaydan sp. nov. was found in association with Coffea robusta Lindl. ex De Will. (Rubiaceae), described and illustrated. The new species has multilocular disc pores and oral collar tubular ducts on the posterior dorsum in limited numbers. It is another species of Planococcus possessing dorsal multilocular disc pores. An identification key to the known Planococcus species of southern Asia is also provided

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 Few studies have investigated the efficacy of natural enemies against pests in hydroponic farming. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of two predators Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae), for controlling Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in hydroponic cultures of Batavia lettuce. Both C. carnea and M. pygmaeus were released weekly with spot treatment: 10-20 individuals /m² and 0.25-5 individuals/ m²/release, respectively. One of the more substantial conclusions from our current study is that C. carnea and M. pygmaeus highly reduced the F. occidentalis larvae and adults (45.85 and 60.91%) over the control treatments. The efficiency of M. pygmaeus was higher than that of C. carnea. The population of F. occidentalis decreased from 8.75, 7.75, and 7.5 individuals /leaf in control to 8.25, 7.0, 6.25, and 3.5, 3, and 2.5 individuals/leaf in the C. carnea and M. pygmaeus, respectively in all three planting cycles. Results also showed that in control and M. pygmaeus, the variation was only significant between cycles 1 and 3. While the C. carnea group showed a significant difference between cycles 1 and 3 and 1 and 2. Results also indicated that M. pygmaeus was more effective than C. carnea as a biocontrol agent against the larvae and mature F. occidentalis. Thus, using M. pygmaeus and C. carnea to manage the thrips damage is advised.

 

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The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a serious pest of Poaceae plants, especially wheat and corn, in the world and in Iran. In this study, the demographic parameters of R. padi were determined at seven constant temperatures (8.5, 15, 20, 25, 27.5, 29 and 31±0.5 °C), 65±5% RH, and 14:10 (L: D) photoperiods on Zea mays L., KSC704 cultivar. The total lifespan, from birth to death, decreased with increasing the temperature from 8.5 to 29 °C, but the nymphal stage duration increased a little at 29 °C. The highest value of life expectancy (e_x) was observed at 8.5 °C and at 31 °C, the nymphs died before reaching the adult phase. The percentage of survival for nymphal stages was highest at 15 and 25 °C, and the net reproductive rate (R₀=23.671 female/generation) had the highest value at 15 °C. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) and the finite rates of increase (λ) increased at the temperature interval of 8.5 to 25 °C. At this range, the doubling time (DT) and the mean generation time (T) decreased as the temperature increased. According to the highest value of r_m (0.22 day^-1) and λ (1.134day^-1) and also the lower value of T (9.095 d) and DT (2.16 d), the temperature of 25 °C was determined as the optimal temperature and the data showed that the proper temperature range for growth and reproduction of this aphid was between 15-25 °C. The effect of temperature on reproduction, especially the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), of R. padi would be useful for predicting its long-term population fluctuation over several generations and establishing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against this pest.