New Research on Matsucoccus matsumurae (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae) in China

The Japanese pine bast scale, Matsucoccus matsumurae (Kuwana) is the type species of the genus Matsu- coccus Cockerell, 1909 (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Matsucoccidae). M. matsumurae was first found on Pinus thunbergii Parlatore in Tokyo, Japan, and described as a new species by Kuwana in 1903. Matsucoccus matsumurae is mainly found in Japan, North and South Korea and especially in China, where the most significant economic losses occur. In this article, we review its invasion and dispersal in China, discuss its occurrence and control, and outline new results from our research on this pest, including comparing its life cycle in two different climatic regions, Fushun in Liaoning province, northeast China, and Jinhua in Zhejiang province, southeast China. We also studied: the genetic differences between three geographic populations, namely from Fushun in Liaoning, Qingdao in Shandong and Jinhua in Zhejiang province, using molecular techniques; looked at variation in the wax-secreting pores and types of wax on the body surface during development, using both light microscopic and electron microscopic techniques; investi- gated fatty acid synthase and fatty acid elongase in relation to wax synthesis within the body at different developmental stages; studied the natural enemies and their application for biological control, and consid- ered the effect of pathogenic fungi infecting M. matsumurae and their potential in biological control.