Soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) species on fruit orchards of Diyarbakir and Elazig provinces in Turkiye1

This study was carried out in order to determine the soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) species, their host plants, distribution areas, densities and infestation rates on fruit production areas of Diyarbakir and Elazig Provinces in 2017-2018. As a result of the study, 7 soft scale species were determined on 12 fruit plants. The most common species and the widest host plant range was Parthenolecanium corni (Bouche, 1844) in the study areas. were determined to be the most important species in the region. Didesmococcus unifasciatus caused heavy infestation on almond, Prunus dulcis (Mill.) (Rosales: Rosaceae) trees (Scale 4) at rates of 3.1% and 0,9% in cinar district of Diyarbakir and Sivrice district of Elazig, respectively. Sphaerolecanium prunastri caused heavy infestation on apricots, Prunus armeniaca L. (Rosales: Rosaceae) at rates of 3.8% and 4.6% in Elazig's Central and Baskil districts, which have significant apricot production areas.