Preventing Coccus Longulus Infestation
Faculty Mentor
Michele Guidone
Location
Skidaway Meeting Room
Type of Research
Completed
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Biology
Abstract
In the Armstrong greenhouse, the Coccus longulus scale is a prevalent insect problem on the plant Begonia ‘Richmondensis’. Inside the greenhouse there are several additional types of begonias with very similar characteristics to Richmondensis. However, none of these begonias are infested by C. longulus, despite having similar leaf tissue toughness, trichome densities, and experiencing the same environmental conditions such as humidity and light. This project examined whether differences in the chemical composition of the begonia leaves can explain the observed insect infestation pattern. Chemicals were extracted from the leaves of the begonia varietals Richmondensis, ‘Northern Lights’, ‘Persian Swirl’, and beefsteak. These compounds were then applied to infested Richmondensis leaves in order to examine if the scale insects moved away from the area of chemical application. Results are currently inconclusive, therefore continued research is needed to determine what causes scale to prefer Begonia Richmondensis. This information may prove useful in determining how to prevent scale infestation on greenhouse plants.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-21-2026 11:15 AM
End Date
4-21-2026 11:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Wellls, Nicholas, "Preventing Coccus Longulus Infestation" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 49.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026A/2026A/49
Preventing Coccus Longulus Infestation
Skidaway Meeting Room
In the Armstrong greenhouse, the Coccus longulus scale is a prevalent insect problem on the plant Begonia ‘Richmondensis’. Inside the greenhouse there are several additional types of begonias with very similar characteristics to Richmondensis. However, none of these begonias are infested by C. longulus, despite having similar leaf tissue toughness, trichome densities, and experiencing the same environmental conditions such as humidity and light. This project examined whether differences in the chemical composition of the begonia leaves can explain the observed insect infestation pattern. Chemicals were extracted from the leaves of the begonia varietals Richmondensis, ‘Northern Lights’, ‘Persian Swirl’, and beefsteak. These compounds were then applied to infested Richmondensis leaves in order to examine if the scale insects moved away from the area of chemical application. Results are currently inconclusive, therefore continued research is needed to determine what causes scale to prefer Begonia Richmondensis. This information may prove useful in determining how to prevent scale infestation on greenhouse plants.
