Phoenicococcus marlatti Cockerell

Phoenicococcus marlatti Cockerell (Fig. 87, Plate 5C, distribution map Fig. 91L) Phoenicococcus marlatti Cockerell, 1899b: 262. Field characteristics: Usually found in crevices on palms, particularly in folds of unopened leaves or under fibres on the stems. Adult female subspherical, pinkish or reddish brown to red, partly enclosed by an amorphous mass of white, flocculent wax. Immature males produce a loose, elongate white cocoon (Gill 1993); adult male wingless (Watson 2022a). Microscopic diagnosis: see generic diagnosis above. Distribution: Phoenicococcus marlatti originated in the Middle East but is now known from 18 countries in the Afrotropical, Nearctic, Neotropical and Palaearctic regions (García Morales et al. 2016); in Iran, it is found in Hormozgan, Kermanshah, Sistan & Balouchestan and Yazd provinces (Moghaddam 2013). Host-plants: The scale is mainly found on palms (family Arecaceae) but there are some records on host-plants in Myrtaceae and Pandanaceae (García Morales et al. 2016). In Iran, it has been found on Phoenix dactylifera (Arecaceae) (Moghaddam 2013). Economic importance: Not known as a pest in Iran. Natural enemies: None recorded in Iran.