Bioecology of San José louse Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on apple variety Anna in Draa Ben Khedda area (Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria)

Abstract

San José louse Diaspidiotus perniciosus is a scale insect, which can affect several species of fruit trees. This insect presents two to four generations per year  depending on the climatic conditions of the environment,  the characteristics of the agro-ecosystem as well as the  varietal characteristics of the host plants. Knowledge of  the biological cycle of this pest and its spatio-temporal  relationships with its host plant is essential in order to  consider a fight that is more respectful of the  environment. Our study aims to assess the dynamics of  populations San Jose louse D. perniciosus through using  sex-specific pheromone traps in an apple orchard Anna  variety in Draa Ben Khedda area wilaya of Tizi-Ouzou  (Algeria). Use of sex pheromone traps reveals the  existence of three flight periods, which indicates three  main generations per year in the environment studied. The estimate of the damage caused by this pest to fruit  on trees shows an infestation rate ranging from 4,2%,  to32,89%.