A survey of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and tending ants in Tunisian vineyards

In 2009, two mealybug species Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Plnnococcus dtri (Risso) and an armoured scale species, Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) were recorded throughout Tunisian table-grape vineyards. P.ficus was by far the most widespread scale insect species within the investigated grape growing areas and was also recorded on fig trees. Among 31 inspected vineyards, 8 were non-infested, 16 slightly to moderately infested, and 7 highly infested by mealybug. Therefore, the latter are principal pests in vine- yards and should be sustainably managed to avoid major crop losses on grapevine. Six ant species were found in Tunisian mealybug-infested table-grape vineyards. They are Tetramorium semilaeve Andre Ptagiolepis schmitzii (Forel), Tapinoma nigerrimum (Nylander), Crematogaster schmidht (Mayr), Pheidole pallidula (Nylander) and Pheidole teneriffana Forel. The four latter species were reported tending mealybug on grapevines. T nigerrimum was Found to be the ant most associated with the pseuddd mealybugs. Our findings are new data for Tunisian grape-growing areas and will contribute to enhance Integrated Pest Management programs in vineyards.