Papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), invasive insect pest recorded in Luzon

Issue Date

10-2013

Abstract

Occurrences of papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus were recorded and documented in the following areas in the Philippines: Manila, Pasay, Munoz, Nueva Ecija and Los Baños, Laguna - 2008 and 2020, Tarlac City - Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CLIARC) - May 2012 and in Cavite (Silang, Amadeo and Indang) - August 2012. Mealybug is now recognized as a polyphagous pest, with hosts recorded from more than 25 genera of economic and weedy plants such as papaya, solanum, cassava, mangifera, citrus, ipomoea, yams, annona, capsicum, hibiscus, vigna, persea, plumeria, jathropha, and bidens. The adult female is about 2.5 mm long and 1.5 mm wide. It is evenly covered with powdery white wax. females are wingless, and move by crawling short distances or by being blown in air currents. O. marginatus feeds on phloem sap and excretes sugary honeydrew. Affected young leaves are crinkled, the shoots stunted and distorted, older leaves turn yellow and dry up. Sooty mold developing on honeydew excreted by this mealybug covers the leaves, fruits and stem, impending photosynthesis. Management strategies include cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical but with limited effectivity.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

27

Issue

2

Page

202

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

PARACOCCUS MARGINATUS; PESTS INSECTS; PESTS OF PLANTS; RECORDS; TAXONOMY; PHILIPPINES

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