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Research Project: Exotic Whitefly and Subtropical Invasive Pests of Vegetables and Ornamental Plants

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Title: The records of Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) deposited in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods

Author
item DEETER, LILY - Florida Department Of Agriculture
item Ahmed, Muhammad

Submitted to: Insecta Mundi
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2023
Publication Date: 7/1/2023
Citation: Deeter, L.A., Ahmed, M.Z. 2023. The records of Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) deposited in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. Insecta Mundi. 0995: 1–8.

Interpretive Summary: Hibiscus or lebbeck mealybug is an emerging pest of citrus and other commercial crops in Florida. It is widespread in at least 60 countries on four continents, including Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America. It was reported for the first time in North America from Florida in late 2009 from a natural area on dodder vine, in Palm Beach County, Florida. However, it was not until 2019 that severe outbreaks were found on commercial citrus for the first time in the United States in Highlands County, Florida. Recently, concern about this pest’s potential for damage has risen with the discovery in a hemp production greenhouse and in an organic U-pick blueberry farm. To better understand the history and pest potential of this mealybug, we reexamined the slides in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA), Gainesville, Florida, and collated the data from the slide labels. This data will help regulatory agencies slow the spread of this pest inside and outside of Florida.

Technical Abstract: We studied the slides of Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) deposited in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods and provided specimen-label data, including geographical location, global positioning system coordinates when available, host plant, collector name, adults/immature stages, sex of specimens on respective slides, number of slides, and date samples were collected. In addition, we discuss two most recent new host records of the species on commercial crops, including blueberries and hemp. This data will help regulatory agencies slow the spread of this pest inside and outside of Florida.