Exallomochlus hispidus (Morrison) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous mealybug with a wide host range. Many of them are fruits that have high economic value and potential export commodities. In addition, E. hispidus is a quarantine pest so that its presence can be an export barrier. The purposive sampling method were used to take plant samples. Host plants were sampled in 4 districts in Bogor, Sukabumi, Purwakarta, and Garut, West Java. Mealybugs and their host plants were put in a paper bag and taken to the laboratory. Adult female mealybugs were prepared microscopically for identification. Results showed that E. hispidus was found on 31 species of 18 families. Most of the hosts were fruit crops 54.84% and at least medicinal plant and weed 3.23%. The major host plants are fruit crops including cocoa, duku, rambutan, sapodilla, soursop, mangosteen and lemon. The part of the plant which is inhabited by E. hispidus mostly is on the fruit and the least on the stem. The results of this study were expected to provide information on the host range of E. hispidus so that it can be prevented from spreading and proper control is taken.
The cocoa mealybug, Exallomochlus hispidus Morrison (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is known to attack mangosteen, an important fruit export commodity for Indonesia. The mealybug is polyphagous, so alternative host plants can serve as a source of nourishment. This study aimed to record the bionomics of E. hispidus on mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) and three alternative hosts, kabocha squash (Cucurbita maxima L.), soursop (Annona muricata, L.), and guava (Psidium guajava L.). First-instar nymphs of the E. hispidus were reared at room temperature on mangosteen, kabocha, soursop, and guava fruits until they developed into adults and produced nymphs. Female E. hispidus go through three instar stages before adulthood. The species reproduces by deuterotokous parthenogenesis. Exallomochlus hispidus successfully developed and reproduced on all four hosts. The shortest life cycle of the mealybug occurred on kabocha (about 32.4 days) and the longest was on guava (about 38.3 days). The highest fecundity was found on kabocha (about 100 nymphs/female) and the lowest on mangosteen (about 46 nymphs/female). The shortest oviposition period was 10 days on mangosteen and the longest, 10 days, on guava. These findings could be helpful in controlling E. hispidus populations in orchards.
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