Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) found in Moroccan avocado groves; their distribution, importance and natural enemies

A study of 89 avocado ( Persea americana ) orchards in eight provinces in north‐western Morocco was conducted between October 2023 and September 2025 to detect scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae, Diaspididae, Monophlebidae and Pseudococcidae) and their associated natural enemies. The first annotated checklist of 11 scale insect species and of their natural enemies on avocado trees in Morocco is provided. The scale insects recorded were Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus), Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) and Hemiberlesia rapax (Comstock) (Diaspididae); Ceroplastes sinensis Del Gercio, Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner), Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell) and Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Coccidae); Icerya purchasi Maskell and Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) (Monophlebidae); and Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) (Pseudococcidae). Three of these species were sometimes found at moderate infestation levels, which potentially might go on to exceed the economic threshold and warrant control measures: Protopulvinaria pyriformis , I. seychellarum and Pseudococcus longispinus . The other eight species were rare or occurred only at low infestation levels in only a few orchards. The natural enemies found associated with scale insects on the avocado trees are recorded. This article will enable agricultural entomologists in Moroccan avocado orchards to recognize these scale insect species so that control measures may be taken only when necessary. The baseline knowledge provided may help with the development of a proactive pest control programme for the sustainable control of avocado scale insect pests in Morocco, neighbouring countries and other EPPO members.