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Research Project: Exotic Whitefly Pests of Vegetables and Ornamental Plants

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Title: Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), Lebbeck mealybug, (Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), a new pest of citrus and ornamentals

Author
item DIEPENBROCK, LAUREN - University Of Florida
item McKenzie, Cindy
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida
item AHMED, MUHAMMAD - Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2019
Publication Date: 7/21/2019
Citation: Diepenbrock, L., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L., Ahmed, M. 2019. Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), Lebbeck mealybug, (Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), a new pest of citrus and ornamentals [abstract]. Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting, July 21-24, 2019, Jupiter, Florida.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The first report of lebbeck mealybug in Florida occurred in 2009 from Palm Beach County on host plant dodder, Cuscuta exaltata. Since then there are 89 records of this species from over 40 host plant species in four counties in Florida (Broward, Martin, Miami Dade, Palm Beach). A decade later on June 14, 2019, a citrus sample with lebbeck mealybug was collected in Highlands County, Florida after noticing heavy infestation of white wax on branches and citrus fruits. This find represents a new county record and is the first occurrence of lebbeck mealybug in commercial citrus. This mealybug has been reported from over 45 host plant families including several species of citrus from at least 63 countries all over the world. Mealybugs are approximately 4 mm long by 3 mm wide with body color black, purple to blue green with thick white or pale-yellow wax. Females produce an ovisac with a wax that is sticky when touched. In high densities, waxy secretions may appear as a continuous layer of wax which will obscure individual mealybugs. Wax may turn yellow in older infestations. This is an agricultural pest in many parts of the world on a variety of agricultural crops. In Florida, citrus, cotton, ornamentals and tropical plants would all be potential impacted crops. We will discuss what we know about this particular mealybug, how to scout for it and potential management strategies.