Hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), is an invasive, highly polyphagous pest that has recently established in Florida. This pest is historically known to heavily effect citrus production in other citrus-producing regions and has similarly negatively impacted citrus groves in several counties. Hibiscus mealybug was first found infesting citrus in one county in 2019 and has rapidly spread across counties and onto additional hosts in only a few years. Here we review the known distribution and biology of hibiscus mealybug, including a description of life stages, known host plants in Florida, and management options. Additionally, a field diagnostics guide is presented to assist in early detection and prevent the spread of N. viridis in other regions. We anticipate that information shared here will help in slowing its spread in the United States.

Improved cultivars are developed by the breeders due to the variability in characters and availability of redundant diverse genotypes. Many pepper varieties exist in the cultivated land and waste sites in southwest Nigeria but very few had been recommended for breeding and crop improvement. This study was aimed to characterize accessions of pepper varieties from southwest Nigeria using morphological characters with a view to select genotypes with desirable morphological traits for breeding, crop improvement and hybridization. Thirty accessions were characterized using 45 morphological (27 qualitative and 18 quantitative) characters. Qualitative characters were recorded while quantitative characters were measured. Descriptive statistics, Principal component analysis (PCA), correlation coefficients and Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) were carried out using IBM SPSS software package 20.0 version. A wide diversity was observed and measured among pepper varieties on vegetative and reproductive morphological characters. Hence the following genotypes C. frutescens var. maxima (AOS009, AOS023, AOS033), C. annuum var. glabrisculum (AOS010, AOS036), C. frutescens var. baccatum (AOS038), C. frutescens var. chacoense (AOS028), C. frutescens var. minima (AOS040) and unknown variety (AOS019) were identified and are hereby suggested for hybridization and recommended to breeders for crop improvement.

Mesh exclusion bags are increasingly being adopted by Florida citrus growers to protect young citrus trees from Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, and Huanglongbing disease. These mesh bags exclude larger insects such as D. citri but may allow entry of minute insects. Hibiscus mealybugs, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), have been observed thriving in the micro-habitat created by these covers on trees. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and insect growth regulators (IGRs) are effective against several mealybug species under various growing conditions, but their efficacy against N. viridis or within the microclimate within exclusion bags is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated various formulations of entomopathogenic fungi with and without IGR against N. viridis using laboratory bioassays. We then conducted semifield bioassays to determine effectiveness of EPF formulations alone and in combination with an IGR applied to citrus trees enveloped within mesh bags under field conditions. Survival probabilities of N. viridis nymphs exposed to all Beauveria bassiana-based products tested were comparable to malathion under laboratory conditions and reduced survival as compared to controls (water only). Under field conditions, mortality of N. viridis nymphs on leaves sprayed with each fungal formulation tested was significantly greater than on control treatments (Water, Suffoil X, 435 oil) up to four weeks post application. There were no differences in the colony forming units per leaf area amongst all fungal treatments. Formulated B. bassiana-based products applied alone or combined with an IGR should be effective tools for managing N. viridis populations on young citrus trees protected with mesh exclusion bags.