Contribution to the study of insects (Arthropoda:Insecta) associated with the genus Ixora L. (Angiospermae: Rubiaceae) in Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to register insects (Arthropoda: Insecta) associated with genus Ixora L. (Angiospermae: Rubiaceae) and contribute the knowledge about this popular tropical ornamental plant in Brazil. For this study, we detected the presence of insects in solid or isolated plants of Ixora spp., and greenhouses, between the period 2004 and 2012. It was pointed out for the first time on I. chinensis Lam.: Syntermes dirus (Burmeister, 1839) (Isoptera: Termitidae), Aspidiotus destructor (Signoret, 1869) and Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Praelongorthezia praelonga (Douglas, 1891) (Hemiptera: Ortheziidae) and Camponotus sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Studies registered for the first time on I. coccinea L.: Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi, 1886) and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Eucalymnatus sp., Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner, 1861) and Saissetia olae (Olivier, 1791) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), and Camponotus sp. It was observed first on I. macrothyrsa Teijsm. & Binn.) N. E. Br.: Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell, 1895), Aleurotrachelus sp. (Aleyrodidae), Aphis (Toxoptera) citricida (Kirkaldy, 1907) and Myzus (Nectarosiphon) persicae (Sulzer, 1778) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Harmonia sp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Camponotus sp. This paper contributes to the study of these important ornamental plants, presenting for the first time a list of associated insects. This work also creates conditions for future studies.