The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at Stake

The globose scale (GS) <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Sphaerolecanium prunastri</i> (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is a serious pest affecting plants within the Rosaceae, notably wild apricot, <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Armeniaca...

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Main Authors: Ping Zhang, Yifan Li, Cuihong Li, Guizhen Gao, Zhaoke Dong, Elahe Rostami, Zhaozhi Lu, Myron P. Zalucki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/409
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author Ping Zhang
Yifan Li
Cuihong Li
Guizhen Gao
Zhaoke Dong
Elahe Rostami
Zhaozhi Lu
Myron P. Zalucki
author_facet Ping Zhang
Yifan Li
Cuihong Li
Guizhen Gao
Zhaoke Dong
Elahe Rostami
Zhaozhi Lu
Myron P. Zalucki
author_sort Ping Zhang
collection DOAJ
description The globose scale (GS) <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Sphaerolecanium prunastri</i> (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is a serious pest affecting plants within the Rosaceae, notably wild apricot, <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Armeniaca vulgaris</i> (Lamarck). Following its initial detection in 2019, more than 80% of valleys with wild apricots have become affected in the Ili River Basin of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China. This study assessed GS population dynamics post invasion and its effects on the growth and reproductive traits of wild apricot trees from 2019 to 2024. Nymph densities have decreased but remain high, with densities per 20 cm of shoots of 986 (1<sup data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">st</sup>-instar nymphs) and 120 (2<sup data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">nd</sup>-instar nymphs) in 2024, respectively. Damage has declined, with high damage rankings decreasing from 24% to 11% of wild apricot trees. However, the mortality of trees was higher (25%) in infested than non-infested areas (13%). Interestingly, GS feeding stimulated the growth of spring shoots but significantly reduced the reproductive capacity of wild apricots. Heavily infested trees exhibited increased shoot length (2–3 times), decreased fruit yield (20-fold), lower flowering percentage (8-fold), and reduced flower bud density (2-fold) compared to non-infested trees. Overall, despite a decrease in damage severity, wild apricot forests remain threatened by GS. Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies is essential for effective GS management and the recovery of wild apricot forests.
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spelling doaj-art-3f77510265f64df2a896ea9f3a0157862025-08-20T02:18:11ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-04-0116440910.3390/insects16040409The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at StakePing Zhang0Yifan Li1Cuihong Li2Guizhen Gao3Zhaoke Dong4Elahe Rostami5Zhaozhi Lu6Myron P. Zalucki7State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaShandong Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Agricultural Pest Management, College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaCollege of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaShandong Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Agricultural Pest Management, College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaShandong Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Agricultural Pest Management, College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaThe globose scale (GS) <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Sphaerolecanium prunastri</i> (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is a serious pest affecting plants within the Rosaceae, notably wild apricot, <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Armeniaca vulgaris</i> (Lamarck). Following its initial detection in 2019, more than 80% of valleys with wild apricots have become affected in the Ili River Basin of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China. This study assessed GS population dynamics post invasion and its effects on the growth and reproductive traits of wild apricot trees from 2019 to 2024. Nymph densities have decreased but remain high, with densities per 20 cm of shoots of 986 (1<sup data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">st</sup>-instar nymphs) and 120 (2<sup data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">nd</sup>-instar nymphs) in 2024, respectively. Damage has declined, with high damage rankings decreasing from 24% to 11% of wild apricot trees. However, the mortality of trees was higher (25%) in infested than non-infested areas (13%). Interestingly, GS feeding stimulated the growth of spring shoots but significantly reduced the reproductive capacity of wild apricots. Heavily infested trees exhibited increased shoot length (2–3 times), decreased fruit yield (20-fold), lower flowering percentage (8-fold), and reduced flower bud density (2-fold) compared to non-infested trees. Overall, despite a decrease in damage severity, wild apricot forests remain threatened by GS. Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies is essential for effective GS management and the recovery of wild apricot forests.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/409<i>Armeniaca vulgaris</i>fruit setplant compensation<i>Sphaerolecanium prunastri</i>wild apricot forest
spellingShingle Ping Zhang
Yifan Li
Cuihong Li
Guizhen Gao
Zhaoke Dong
Elahe Rostami
Zhaozhi Lu
Myron P. Zalucki
The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at Stake
Insects
<i>Armeniaca vulgaris</i>
fruit set
plant compensation
<i>Sphaerolecanium prunastri</i>
wild apricot forest
title The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at Stake
title_full The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at Stake
title_fullStr The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at Stake
title_full_unstemmed The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at Stake
title_short The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at Stake
title_sort post invasion population dynamics and damage caused by globose scale in central eurasia destiny of wild apricot still at stake
topic <i>Armeniaca vulgaris</i>
fruit set
plant compensation
<i>Sphaerolecanium prunastri</i>
wild apricot forest
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/409
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