Biology and harmfulness of Planococcus vovae (Nassonov) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Belgrade area

Planococcus vovae (Nassonov) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an important pest on\udplants of the family Cupressaceae. Its numerous populations have been present in recent\udyears on Juniperus spp. in Belgrade. Feeding by sap-sucking on all aboveground plant\udorgans, it causes growth stagnation, chlorosis, drying of needles and branches, and even\udof entire plants under heavy infestation. Additionally, the scale excretes large quantities of\udhoneydew, on which sooty mold develops, reducing photosynthesis and causing faster\udplant deterioration.\udThroughout 2007 and 2008, P. vovae was recorded on Juniperus spp. in 12 localities in\udBelgrade, and on Thuja sp. in a single locality. The pest was found to develop three generations\udper year and overwinter on branches at the egg or second instar stages. The first generation\udadults were observed at the end of May, the second generation at the beginning\udof August, while the third generation was recorded at the beginning of October. Different\udoverwintering modes, and variable oviposition, embryonic and larval development periods\udled to an overlapping of generations and continuous presence of all developmental\udstages on plants.\udIn different localities the infestation of plants varied in abundance from a few individual\udspecimens to very large colonies. The highest infestation intensity was recorded in the\udlocalities Bežanija, Dorćol and Voždovac.\udThe predatory species Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and\udNephus bipunctatus (Kugelann) (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) were found in the scale colonies.\udRegarding N. bipunctatus, this was its first record as a new species in the Serbian fauna