Valid Names Results

Margarodes prieskaensis (Jakubski, 1965) (Margarodidae: Margarodes)

Nomenclatural History

• Sphaeraspis prieskaensis Jakubski 1965: 120. Type data: SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Province, Kakamas, from soil in vineyard, 1958, collected J.G. Theron. 1. Holotype, female, Type depository: London: The Natural History Museum, England, UK; accepted valid name
• Margarodes prieskaensis (Jakubski, 1965); Morrison & Morrison 1966: 20. change of combination Notes: Morrison & Morrison synonymized Sphaeraspis with Margarodes, creating the combination Margarodes prieskaensis.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 2 | Genera: 2

Foes:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• Watson2022: pp.309,313 ( Adult (F) Cyst ) [soil-dwelling pest Margarodes in southern Africa]
• HodgsoFo2006: pp.94-95 ( Adult (M) ) [Margarodidae males]

Remarks

• Structure: Body of adult female up to 10 mm long and 5 mm wide, ovoid and yellow, with soft, deep segmental folds; densely covered with long hair-like setae; characteristic enlarged fossorial (digging) forelegs with dark brown claws. Cyst amber yellow with a maximum diameter of 6.0 mm; surface texture looks like a tortoise shell. Slide-mounted adult female has body covered with long and short almost straight setae and short bulbous spines on posterior end of abdomen. (Giliomee, de Klerk & Watson in T. Kondo & G. Watson, 2022)
• Biology: Eggs are laid in the spring in the soil close to grapevine roots at a depth of about 50 cm. Newly hatched nymphs attach themselves to the roots by their mouthparts and become sessile. The second nymphal stage has two phases: a feeding and growing phase followed by a non-feeding phase. Once feeding is complete, the nymphs are capable of secreting a protective waxy covering to form pearl-like cysts enabling them to resist unfavorable conditions. The cysts can remain inactive and viable in the soil for a very long period (several years). Sexually mature females and male prepupae emerge from the cysts. The females make their way upwards through the soil in mid-July just after the lowest subterranean winter temperatures (6–7°C) have been reached. Males undergo complete metamorphosis, pupating just below the soil surface in early May when temperatures are about 16°C. (Du Toit, 1975)
• Economic Importance: A pest of grapevine in South Africa. Hexachlorobutadiene was applied with hand soil injector guns as well as on commercial scale in two established vineyards in South Africa at a rate of 12 ml per square meter, to control M. prieskaensis. Adult females as well as male pre-pupae and pupae were effectively controlled. Best results were obtained with an application after harvest during March. Although the cyst stage was not affected, applications during two consecutive years could effectively control the pest. Dichloropropene, aldicarb, fenamiphos, carbofuran and oxamyl were found to be ineffective in the control of M. prieskaensis (de Klerk, 1987). Cadusafos at 25 mL/m² gave excellent control of male pre-pupae. Pre-pupae, as well as adult females, were effectively controlled by dichloropropene at 15 mL/m², as well as by thiamethoxam at 2.4 mL/m² and 2.0 mL/m² and imidacloprid at 15 mL/m², 3.0 mL/m² and 1.5 mL/m². Contact and fumigant applications were made during March and April (beginning of leafdrop), and systemics during January (one month after harvest). (de Klerk, 2010)
• General Remarks: Description and illustration of adult female and cysts by Jakubski (1965) and by De Klerk et al. (1982). Description and illustration of adult male by Hodgson & Foldi (2006).

Illustrations

Citations