A Report of Alien Species Icerya purchasi Maskell, as Pest of Rosmarinus officinalis Linné in Romania

Abstract

Icerya purchasi Maskell (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae), the cottony cushion scale is an invasive pest well known for its polyphagy which has preference for woody plants as many perennial ornamental shrubs and trees, also fruit and forest trees. The insect is recorded on many plant species belonging to more than 80 families, especially on Citrus spp. and many ornamentals. The damages produced by this scale has economic importance, sometimes the destroying entire orchards. The research concerning the record and identification of cottony cushion scale were carried out in spring of 2022 in Cluj-Napoca (Romania). The insects have been observed on Rosmarinus officinalis Linné and than collected, identfieded, prepared and photographed with the corresponding description.