The first record of scale insect, Kermes spatulatus from Iran and study of morphological characteristics of adult insects and the first nymphal instar

Scale insects are the important pests of the forest, horticulture and crops, which may weaken plants. Zagros oak forests are one of the most important natural reserves of Kermanshah province that their protection is vital. More than 8,000 species of scale insects have been reported worldwide and 300 species of these insects recorded from Iran. In this research, which was carried out from 2021 to 2022 in Zagros oak forests, Kermes spatulatus specifically feeds on oak trees Quercus spp. is recorded for the first time from Iran. The oak branches and stems which infected with this scale insect were collected from Chalabeh and Dalahu regions in Kermanshah province. After being separated from the branches, the scales were clarified and microscope slides were prepared from them. Then macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their adult insects and their first-instar nymph were evaluated and described; Adult female of this species shows different colors in two regions; Dalahu samples are black and Challabeh samples are orange in color. But the color of the first nymphal instar are same in the two regions. Also this scale was compared with close scale related species.