The economic impact and dynamical fluctuations caused by the flat grass scale population, aclerda takahashii kuwana (hemiptera, coccomorpha : aclerdidae)‎ infesting sugarcane in Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract EN

The flat grass scale, Aclerda takahashii Kuwana, (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha: Aclerdidae) since its record for the first time in 1990 infesting sugarcane in Alexandria, Egypt, very little is known or published about the economic impact caused by this species, its seasonal fluctuation and assessed damage in sugarcane crop.

Thus, the adopted study is focused in the palatability and impact caused by this pest as well as its annual dynamical fluctuation.

Data obtained revealed that the estimated fluctuating densities of A.

takahashii individuals on the stem of sugarcane plant, throughout both the following growing seasons of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 proved two overlapping peaks for each.

The obtained results also clarified that Aclerda takahashii mainly prefer the internodes of lower and medium parts of the sugarcane stem, compared with its upper part.

Regarding the impact of Aclerda takahashii on the TSS% (Brix), the obtained results showed that A.

takahashii infestation reduce the Brix mean value (TSS%) according to its incidence level which could be of economic concern.

Key words: Flat grass scale, Aclerda takahashii Kuwana, sugarcane.Egypt.