Seasonal Development and Population Fluctuations of Arrowhead Scale, Unaspis yanonensis (Homoptera: Diaspididae), in Citrus orchards in Jeju, Korea

Arrowhead scale, Unaspis yanonensis (Kuwana), feeds on the foliage, stems, and fruits of citrus trees, and causes tree dieback when heavy infestations occur. The objective of this study was to collect basic data to establish seasonal management strategies for U. yanonensis. The abundances of male nymphs and female adults were monitored in unsprayed citrus orchards. The overwintered females started to produce their progenies (1st gen.) from mid-May. The populations of the 1st nymphs in the 1st generation showed a bimodal occurrence pattern, with a 1st larger peak between late May and early June, and a 2nd smaller peak in June. The nymphs in the 2nd generation, which were laid from newly developed females, were observed from late July, and the 1st peak occurred in mid-August, followed by an obscure later peak (the 2nd peak) around late September. The numbers of live females for the overwintered populations began to decrease gradually from early June by the impact of the predacious Chilocorus kuwanae, as well as by natural mortality factors, and dropped to a low level in mid-July. When there were abundant predator attacks, the U. yanonensis female populations sharply decreased from early June and were almost nonexistent in July. New female adults (1st generation adults) appeared from late June and peaked in mid-July. The 2nd generation female adults, consequently, the overwintering generation, occurred from mid- September, and gradually increased to late October. Overall, these results will be useful in terms of management strategies for U. yanonensis in citrus orchards.