Invasion of the Carribean by the hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green [Homoptera : Pseudococcidae]

Abstract

Since its accidental introduction into the island of Grenada in 1994, Maconellicoccus hirsutus [Homoptera : Pseudococcidae], commonly named the Hibiscus or Pink Mealybug (HMB), has been inexorably spreading through the Caribbean islands where it has become a major pest on several crops in 24 Caribbean Islands. This pest was also reported in Guyana threatening South and Central America. M. hirsutus is a very prolific pest that injects a toxin at the point of feeding, causing severe distortion of leaves, new shoots and fruit. Initial use of physical and chemical control methods were ineffective. In addition, because of its wide host range and its rapid geographie expansion, not only to agricultural land but also to home gardens and forest areas, biological control appeared as the most suitable method to manage the HMB populations. Three natural enemies were selected for this biocontrol effort: the predatory beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Scymnuscoccivora Ramkrisna [Coleoptera : Coccinellidae] and the parasitoid Anagyruskamali Moursi [Hymenoptera : Encyrtidae]. A. kamali and C. montrouzieri were highly effective in bringing HMB populations under control. In newly infested countries, early introduction of biological control agents resulted in effective management of the pest. This experience provided a model for future management of other alien invasive pest species in the region.

New Records of Parasitoids Hymenopteran (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) Associated With Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the State of São Paulo

“…Several studies related to the biology of A. kamali were carried out and verified the great potential of the species for the biological control of M. hirsutus (Sagarra et al, 2000a;Sagarra et al, 2000b;Sagarra et al, 2001a;Sagarra et al, 2001b;Persad & Khan, 2002;Serrano & Lapointe, 2002;Persad & Khan, 2007;Montes-Rodríguez, 2012). Anagyrus kamali, preferably feeds from adult female of PHM, but it can also parasitize all the nymphal instars (Sagarra & Peterkin, 1999).…”

Field evaluation of two systemic neonicotinoid insecticides against pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green)) on mulberry trees

“…While Citrus spp. have been reportedly affected by M. hirsutus in the Caribbean (Sagarra and Peterkin 1999), grapes in California may be at even greater risk than citrus based on experience in India. M. hirsutus has become a major pest on grapes in recent years in India (Mani 1989) where it is often referred to as the 'grape mealybug' (Williams 1996).…”

“…In 1983 it was discovered on the island of Hawaii in the Pacific and the following year on Guam (Reddy et al 2009). It is unknown how or when the leap to the Caribbean was made, but its establishment on most islands throughout the basin has occurred by colonizing over 150 species of tree and vegetable crops, ornamentals, and wild host plants as recorded in Trinidad alone (Sagarra and Peterkin 1999). Worldwide, this polyphagous pest is known to occur on at least 200 plant species (Berg 1996).…”

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) Register in Teak Forest Santds in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil

“…and teak. Assuming that these plant species are highly-susceptible to this pest, it can lead to death plant in case of a high infestation (Sagarra & Peterkin, 1999).…”