Abstract

Iran is situated at the junctions of the Palaearctic and Oriental zoogeographical regions, and the Caspian, Baluchi and Irano-Tiranian floral zones, so it has a very diverse scale insect fauna. Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) are economically important in forestry, agriculture and horticulture. This taxonomic account of the armoured scales (Diaspididae) of Iran is the first of three works planned to cover all the scale insects in the country. It provides a resource for accurate laboratory identification of all the species known to occur in Iran or that are likely to be found there. Keys to the families of scale insects found in Iran, and to the 49 genera and 144 species of Diaspididae found there, are provided. Detailed line drawings of all the species known to occur in Iran are provided to facilitate identification. These are accompanied by detailed descriptions, distribution data, information on natural enemies, economic importance and host-plants recorded in Iran. The main purpose of the work is to provide agricultural entomologists concerned with pest control and quarantine inspection worldwide with a reliable means of species identification.