First report of invasive scale insects feeding on the threatened plants Calyptranthes kiaerskovii Krug & Urban and Calyptranthes thomasiana O. Berg in the British Virgin Islands

Abstract

Invasive scale insects are reported for the first time feeding on the threatened endemic Kiaerskov's lidflower Calyptranthes kiaerskovii and Thomas' lidflower Calyptranthes thomasiana (Myrtaceae) in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, Ceroplastes rubens Maskell, Paratachardina pseudolobata Kondo & Gullan and an undetermined diaspidid were found on C. kiaerskovii; and C. rubens, Ceroplastes stellifer (Westwood), P. pseudolobata and an undetermined asterolecaniid on C. thomasiana. The significance of these findings and the on-going threats faced by these plant species in the wild are discussed. C. rubens, C. stellifer, P. howertoni Hodges & Hodgson and P. pseudolobata are recorded here for the first time from BVI.