Population fluctuations in the pink hibiscus mealybug and its natural enemies in Annona squamosa (Annonaceae) in Roraima, Brazil

Abstract

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae), a species of economic interest, especially for fruit plants, is expanding on the South American continent. Information about the population dynamics of this pest associated with control by natural enemies and cultural practices is fundamental for its management. Our objective was to study the population fluctuations in M. hirsutus and its natural enemies in a sugar-apple (Annona squamosa) orchard in Roraima, northern Brazil. Trees were evaluated monthly over a 12-month period. Infestation rates by M. hirsutus and its parasitism were also estimated for potential host plants around the study area. Highest infestation occurred in August and February-March. Alternative hosts were infested during the off-season, mainly fruit. Lacewings and the parasitoid Anagyrus kamali (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) were abundant natural enemies. Average parasitism by A. kamali in fruits was 50%, with highest rates in periods of greatest infestation by M. hirsutus. Fruitification pruning reduced M. hirsutus populations. KEYWORDS: Anagyrus kamali, biological control, Maconellicoccus hirsutusFlutuação populacional da cochonilha-rosada e seus inimigos naturais em Annona squamosa (Annonaceae) em Roraima, Brasil RESUMOMaconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae), praga de inúmeras espécies, especialmente frutíferas, está se expandindo no continente sul-americano. Informações sobre sua dinâmica, inimigos naturais e práticas culturais são importantes para seu manejo. Nosso objetivo foi estudar as flutuações da população em M. hirsutus e seus inimigos naturais em um pomar de ata (Annona squamosa) em Roraima, Brasil. As árvores foram avaliadas mensalmente ao longo de um período de 12 meses e as taxas de infestação por M. hirsutus e parasitismo foram estimadas. A maior infestação ocorreu em agosto de 2014 e entre fevereiro e março de 2015. Hospedeiros alternativos foram infestados durante a entressafra da ata. Bicho-lixeiro e o parasitoide Anagyrus kamali (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) foram os inimigos naturais mais importantes. O parasitismo médio por A. kamali nos frutos foi de 50%, com maiores taxas nos períodos de maior infestação por M. hirsutus. A poda de frutificação reduziu as populações de M. hirsutus.

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

“…In the municipality of Jaboticabal-SP, the population peaks of M. hirsutus in the years 2016-2017 occurred in January and February, where temperatures were higher. These results corroborate with those obtained by Negrini et al (2018), demonstrating that in the months of May-July there is no presence of mealybug in the field, but in the months that followed, in the periods of spring and summer, February and end of September, respectively, the greater amount of mealybugs occur and their re-establishment in the field, also resulted in the appearance of the natural enemies. Negrini et al (2018) evaluated the number of M. hirsutus mummies, corresponding to parasitized mealybugs, in A. squamosa fruits.…”

“…These results corroborate with those obtained by Negrini et al (2018), demonstrating that in the months of May-July there is no presence of mealybug in the field, but in the months that followed, in the periods of spring and summer, February and end of September, respectively, the greater amount of mealybugs occur and their re-establishment in the field, also resulted in the appearance of the natural enemies. Negrini et al (2018) evaluated the number of M. hirsutus mummies, corresponding to parasitized mealybugs, in A. squamosa fruits. The highest pupal average was obtained in September, February and March, being the period corresponding to the highest population peaks of PHM, all of A. kamali.…”

Biodiversity of Natural Enemies of Pseudococcidae in the Semiarid Region of Brazil

“…Parasitoids have a higher preference for mealybugs in later stages of their life cycle, showing little or no parasitic activity on younger mealybugs in their first instars, as observed by Silva, Garcia, and Botton (2017) on Blepyrus clavicornis, and also reported for Anagyrus sp., Aenasius bambawalei and Aenasius vexans. The biological control using the parasitoid Anagyrus kamali has reduced the mealybug populations, in combination with other control methods (Negrini, Morais, Batista, & Chagas, 2018). This is a fundamental factor for integrated pest management, using all available resources when necessary, in a sustainable manner, preserving the entire environment and natural resources.…”

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Brazil: Recent Spread, Natural Enemies, and New Hosts

“…L. *** AL (Maceió), RR (Cantá, Normandia), ES (Colatina) Marsaro Jr. et al (2013),Broglio et al (2015),Negrini et al (2018), present studyAnnona squamosa L.*** MA (Paço do Lumiar, São José de Ribamar), RR (Cantá), ES (Pinheiros, Vitória) Negrini et al (2018), Ramos et al (2018), present study Euphorbiaceae Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A.…”

“…Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) is widely grown on coastal beaches throughout tropical America and the Caribbean, including southern Florida, where it is also used as a seaside hedge in commercial landscapes (Gilman & Watson 2014 (Culik et al 2013a). Anagyrus kamali and C. montrouzieri have been the most common natural enemies associated with M. hirsutus in Brazil (Marsaro Junior et al 2013;Peronti et al 2016;Negrini et al 2018). However, there have been no studies in Brazil to evaluate the establishment and efficiency of these natural enemies in agroecosystems where M. hirsutus has caused damage (Morais 2016).…”