Biological Studies on the Cotton Mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) under the Laboratory Condition

Abstract

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (1989) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is one of the invasive species recently introduced to Egypt and nowadays it is wide spread among various parts of the country. The aim of this study shed light on certain biological aspects of the cotton mealybug and the effect of three host plant species i.e. ("potato", "tomato" and "cotton") as food source on certain biological aspects under the laboratory conditions. The results showed that the female and male of the cotton mealybug are not equal in numbers of moulting and nymphal duration. The life cycle of cotton mealybug was greater for males compared to females may be due to the additional moult and the pupal stage in the male, and it was significantly affected by different host plants, the females lasted 24.2±2.7, 22.1±3.1 and 20.0±2.7 days on potato, tomato and cotton plants leaves, respectively, while the males life cycle lasted 25.2±2.6, 22.9±3.1 and 21.4±2.9 days on potato, tomato and cotton plants leaves, respectively. Adult females lived longer than males, the female longevity lasted 31.2±2.5, 26.8±3.6 and 23.1±3.2 days on potato, tomato and cotton plants leaves, respectively, while males lived 3.1±1.3, 2.1±0.9 and 2.0±1.0 days on potato, tomato and cotton plants leaves, respectively. The cotton mealybug fecundity was significantly affected by different host plants; the females laid 163.3±48.5, 212.8±55.1 and 265.8±57.7 Eggs/female when adults reared on potato, tomato and cotton plants leaves, respectively. Sex ratio between females and males of P. solenopsis reared on potato, tomato and cotton plants leaves are not affected by the host plant. From the motioned results, it could be concluded that the cotton mealybug, P. solenopsis preferred cotton plant than the other two host plants.

Insecticidal potential of wax-degrading bacteria derived from fermented Ficus extract against Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley

“…Phenacoccus solenopsis, commonly known as cotton mealybugs, is a sap-feeding pest feeding on 154 host plant species in different world regions (Alam et al, 2011). It secretes toxic saliva into the plant tissues and sometimes becomes a vector to transmit viral diseases to infested plants (Hoffman et al, 2011).…”

Evaluation of Fermented Plant Extracts as Bioinsecticides in Controlling Phenacoccus solenopsis Colonies on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis under Laboratory Conditions

“…Phenacoccus solenopsis is a destructive polyphagous pest that has infested over 154 plant species belonging to 53 families, including 25 shrubs and trees, 20 field and horticultural crops, 45 ornamentals, and 64 weeds (Alam et al, 2011). Phenacoccus solenopsis reproduces sexually and completes many generations in a year.…”

Using the secondary metabolites of some fungi and wild plants as natural pesticides to control cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

“…The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudooccidae), is a piercing sucking insect that attacks about 183 plant species that belong to 52 plant families (Hodgson et al 2008;Khuhro et al 2012;Ata 2019). Arif et al (2012) mentioned that in Egypt, the cotton mealybug P. solenopsis is considered to be a harmful polyphagous insect pest that attacks cotton, okra, vegetables, and ornamental plants.…”