Identification Of Rastrococcus Rubellus Williams (Hemipte Ra: Pseudococcidae) on Mango: A New Record to Sri Lanka

Abstract

An island-wide survey of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) conducted in 2008/09 helped identify two species of Rastrococcus from Sri Lanka. R. invadens Williams was identified from samples collected on Plumeria sp. and Ficus arnottiana, while R. rubellus Williams was found on Plumeria sp. Although R. invadens has been recorded in Sri Lanka before, this is the first record of the oriental mealybug, R. rubellus, from the country. R. rubellus was found in mixed colonies with R. invadens; so far, the infestations have not been associated with any severe crop losses. The survey revealed that R. rubellus is confined to a limited area in Colombo District. This restricted distribution suggested that it may be a new introduction to the country. Diagnostic characters to aid recognition of R. rubellus, and details of its distribution and host range within Sri Lanka are given.

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) species on economically important fruit crops in Sri Lanka

“…Although it is not new to the country (Williams, 1986), in the survey it was found as an epidemic in agro-ecological zone WL2a. A similar situation in a different area has been described by Galanihe & Watson (2013). Field diagnosis: body in life oval, fairly flat, pale green and covered with mealy wax; legs yellowish brown; with 17 pairs of very long, slender, marginal wax filaments.…”

“…Mold growth blocks light and air from the leaves, interfering with photosynthesis, and may cause poor growth and fruit yield, leaf drop, reduced fruit sugar content and disfigured fruits (McKenzie, 1967;Miller & Kosztarab, 1979). Ernest E. Green's work on the Pseudococcidae of Sri Lanka (Green, 1922), and several subsequent publications (Williams, 2004;Sirisena et al, 2012a;Ben-Dov, 2013;Galanihe & Watson, 2013) have recorded a total of 58 mealybug species in 25 genera from the island to date. Seventeen of these species are potential pests of fruit crops.…”

“…In recent years, mealybugs have become more important than ever before on cultivated crops in Sri Lanka because of accidental introductions of invasive species like Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley), Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley, Rastrococcus rubellus Williams and Brevennia rehi Lindinger (Galanihe et al, 2010;Galanihe & Watson, 2013;Sirisena et al, 2013a). The introduction of P. marginatus resulted in an epidemic and caused severe crop damage, particularly to papaya (Galanihe et al, 2010).…”