Discovery of false coconut scale (Aspidiotus rigidus) and three of its primary parasitoids in Viet Nam, and likely species origins

The false coconut scale, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is a serious pest of coconut in the Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos. Field surveys in Viêt Nam in 2015–2018 discovered A. rigidus (a new country record). Also found were three of its primary hymenopteran parasitoids: an unidentified ectoparasitic Aphytis species (Aphelinidae) and two endoparasitoids, Comperiella calauanica (Encyrtidae) and Pteroptrix parvipennis (Aphelinidae). Aphytis sp. was the commonest parasitoid; the average level of parasitism of A. rigidus found in six surveys was 46%, in immatures of both sexes and adult females. Comperiella calauanica was recorded in three surveys, with an average parasitism level of 54% in adult female A. rigidus. It was also found attacking Aspidiotus destructor Signoret. Pteroptrix parvipennis was recorded in 47% of second instar A. rigidus in one survey. In molecular phylogenies based on 28S and COI genes, Pteroptrix parvipennis grouped with species of Encarsia. Although A. rigidus occurs in the largest coconut-growing areas in Việt Nam, incidence of the scale is low, and no outbreaks have been recorded. Its parasitoids therefore have potential for use as biological control agents in areas where the scale is problematic. The low incidence of A. rigidus in Việt Nam and the presence of the three parasitoid species there suggests that the scale and these parasitoids originated in Indochina.