Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell, 1879)

Aspidiotus aurantii Maskell, 1879: 199.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — La Foa County (Nili), 4.IV.2005, on leaves of Cycas spp.; same loc., 11.VIII.2008, on leaves of C. revoluta, both C. Mille coll., Rosa C. Henderson det. (NZAC, CXMNC).

PUBLISHED RECORDS IN NEW CALEDONIA. — Cohic (1956, 1958a).

DISTRIBUTION IN NEW CALEDONIA.— Grande Terre (La Foa County).

HOST- PLANTS IN NEW CALEDONIA. — Polyphagous, but prefers Citrus spp. (including all species and cultivars). Also known on Cycas spp. and Musa spp. (Cohic 1956). It can be also observed on Annona spp., Passiflora spp. (Mille 2011) and Rosa spp. (Cohic 1958a).

OTHER RECORDS. — Occurs in most citrus -growing areas of the world.

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS.— Aphytis chrysomphali Mercet, 1912; A. lignanensis Compere, 1955 (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Compariella bifasciata Howard, 1906 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).

NOTES. — The California Red Scale in New Caledonia probably originated from infested Citrus fruits imported from Australia. This species is a major economic pest in Citrus orchards, associated with leaf discoloration, branch die-back and fruit infestation.