Family Coccidae (Hemiptera) comprises polyphagous and cosmopolitan pest species associated with various plants. Cerro Punta is one of the main vegetable-producing areas in Panama, but fruit and ornamental plants are frequently found in backyards. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Coccidae as pest. Three fig trees, three orange trees, one mandarin lemon tree, three hibiscus plants, and one abutilon plant were randomly selected. Four shoots from the middle third of each plant were randomly checked. According to the results, immature forms of two Coccidae species, Coccus hesperidum and Saissetia coffeae, were identified; these were prevalent on average at 67% in fig trees, 83% in orange trees, 100% in mandarin lemon trees, 17% in hibiscus plants, and 25% in abutilon plants. In conclusion, the identified Coccidae species are prevalent as major pests in backyards in Cerro Punta, therefore it is recommended to implement integrated pest management.
