Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), an invasive mealybug damaging cotton in Pakistan and India, with a discussion on seasonal morphological variation

Abstract

Since at least 2005, a possibly introduced mealybug of the genus Phenacoccus has been causing serious damage to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) over much of the Sindh and Punjab districts of Pakistan and in north-western India. Some short papers have been published locally giving details on the structure and biology of this species and suggesting the name Phenacoccus gossypiphilous Abbas, Arif & Saeed (2005) but without designating type specimens or depositories. This name is here considered a nomen nudum. A detailed morphological study has been unable to separate this species from many specimens of Phenacoccus from the Neotropics that are believed to be Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. The material from the Indian subcontinent shows considerable morphological variation in the frequency of multilocular disc pores and oral collar tubular ducts on the ventral submargin of the abdomen; this appeared to be related to conditions under which this species was reared, with those cultured in a screen-house during the non-cotton-growing season being indistinguishable from P. solenopsis from the Neotropics . This paper re-describes the adult female of P. solenopsis Tinsley based on the type specimens from New Mexico, and designates a lectotype. The type material was compared with specimens considered to be P. solenopsis from elsewhere in the New World, and from West Africa and several areas in Asia, particularly Pakistan and India. Based of our present understanding of the morphology of adult female P. solenopsis, it is concluded that the species is rather variable, that this variability may be environmentally induced, and that the species currently causing widespread damage to cotton on the Indian subcontinent is referable to P. solenopsis. Adult male P. solenopsis from North America, Pakistan and India were also studied and again no significant differences were found. Descriptions are provided of the adult male and all the immature stages of P. solenopsis, based on material from India and Pakistan. Keys are provided to (a) separate P. solenopsis from similar species of Phenacoccus currently known from Asia and (b) to identify all instars. The morphological differences between P. solenopsis, P. solani Ferris and P. defectus Ferris are reviewed and, based on the morphological variation found in the Asian material, it is considered that there is some support for the suggestion that these three species might be environmentally induced variants of a single species. A few details are given of the biology of P. solenopsis on cotton in Pakistan.

Biology of the Mealybug,Phenacoccus solenopsison Cotton in the Laboratory

“…P. solenopsis has been described as a serious and invasive pest of cotton in Pakistan and India (Hodgson et al 2008) and on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in Nigeria (Akintola and Ande 2008). Latest report on the invasiveness of P. solenopsis has been from the Eastern region of Sri Lanka (Prishanthini and Laxmi 2009) on ornamentals, vegetable crops, and weeds, and in China (Wang et al 2009; Wu and Zhang 2009) on cotton.…”

Monitoring resistance of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) to new chemical insecticides in Punjab, Pakistan

“…The growers' response was to use a tremendous amount of insecticides to manage the pest. Consequently, for example, in 2007, insecticides of US$ 121.4 million worth were used on cotton alone in only two months in Punjab (Hodgson et al, 2008). Moreover, previous studies (Khan et al, 2013b) revealed that the decision making by the farming community regarding the dose of pesticides and modes of action to manage insect pests largely depended on the availability, the amount of chemicals, and application equipment.…”

“…The mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) is a devastating pest of cotton in different regions of the world such as Pakistan (Afzal et al, 2015;Hodgson et al, 2008), India (Nagrare et al, 2009), China (YanPing et al, 2009, United State (Kumashiro et al, 2001), Taiwan and Thailand (Hodgson et al, 2008), due to its polyphagous nature. This pest has a wide host range and causes economic damage to several crops including cotton, ornamentals, medicinal plants and vegetables (Abbas et al, 2010;Nagrare et al, 2009;YanPing et al, 2009).…”

Predicting the impact of climate change on regional and seasonal abundance of the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) using temperature-driven phenology model linked to GIS

“…Changes in P. solenopsis establishment, abundance and damage potential P. solenopsis is a highly polyphagous species of mealybug, which damages more than 200 plant species across the globe (Williams and Granara de Willink, 1992;Abbas et al, 2005;Akintola and Ande, 2008;Hodgson et al, 2008;Ben-Dov, 2009;Nagrare et al, 2009;Vennila et al, 2010;Tanwar et al, 2007). Hence, the map of establishment risk index without the mask of production areas of cotton as a main host plant is quite reasonable when P. solenopsis host crops other than the cotton e.g.…”