Population growth and within-plant distribution of the striped mealybug Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) on cotton

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Population growth and within-plant distribution of the striped mealybug Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) on cotton. The striped mealybug, Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae), is a widely distributed and polyphagous pest species, which naturally occurs on cotton plants in Brazil. This study evaluated the establishment and population growth as well as the within-plant distribution of F. virgata on four cotton cultivars: CNPA 7H (white fibers), BRS Verde, BRS Safira, and BRS Rubi (colored fibers). The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with four treatments (cultivars) and 18 replications of each. Thus, cotton plants of each cultivar were infested with 100 newly hatched nymphs of F. virgata. The number of adult female mealybugs and the total number of mealybugs per plant were quantified, respectively, at 25 and 50 days after infestation. The developmental and pre-reproductive periods were also determined. Furthermore, we verified the distribution of F. virgata on the plant parts at 25 and 50 days after infestation. Ferrisia virgata showed similar growth of 412-fold in the four cotton cultivars studied. Also, the nymphs were spread on infested leaves; the secondgeneration nymphs were spread and established in all plant parts. Our results characterize F. virgata as having much potential as an important cotton pest in Brazil.

Inventory and Distribution of Mango Mealybugs Species in Western Burkina Faso: Relative Abundance and Population Fluctuation

“…This pest is also the vector of the Pepper Yellow Mottle Virus (PYMoV) in black pepper [15]. This insect pest is also one of the three main mealybugs of cotton in India, Pakistan and Brazil [16]. In the case of Burkina Faso, it is not excluded that this insect pest may become a major pest on cotton.…”

Management of Stripped Mealybug in Yam Bean

“…They cause considerable economic damage to agricultural and horticultural plants (Miller et al, 2002(Miller et al, , 2005Nedunchezhiyan et al, 2011;Silva-Torres et al, 2013). Mealybug damages the crops by direct sap sucking (Nedunchezhiyan et al, 2011) and injection of toxins, as well as indirectly by honeydew contamination and associated sooty mold growth that decreases photosynthesis (Mibey, 1997;Oliveira et al, 2014), and occasionally from the effects of transmitted plant viruses (Bhat et al, 2003;Ben-Dov, 2005). Feeding damage may cause leaf yellowing, defoliation, reduced plant growth and death of plants.…”

Striped Mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)­

“…The striped mealybug is one of two Ferrisia species to spread to the Old World, and it can now be found in tropical and temperate climates across the globe (Kosztarab 1996, Williams 2004, Williams and Granara de Willink 1992, Williams and Watson 1988. The striped mealybug has also achieved economic significance as a pest of several agricultural crops, including cocoa and cotton (Ameyaw et al 2014, Kosztarab 1996, Oliveira et al 2014.…”

“…), and sugar-apple (Annona spp. ), as well as cocoa and cotton, upon which the striped mealybug has had economic significance (Ameyaw et al 2014, Oliveira et al 2014. For extensive host lists for Ferrisia spp.…”