Identification of mealybugs, soft scale insects and their predators in vineyards across the savannah agro-ecological region of Nigeria

Insect-vectored viruses are a major threat to grapevine production but there is a dearth of information on the occurrence and distribution of key grapevine pests in Nigeria. The recent detection of grapevine leafroll associated virus-1 (GLRaV-1), a known insect-vectored ampelovirus, in Nigeria elevates the importance of the identification of its potential vectors as a precursor to assessing the risk of grapevine leafroll disease spread. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and diversity of potential vectors of grapevine viruses and their natural enemies in vineyards across the savannah agro-ecological region of Nigeria. Forty vineyard and nursery locations were surveyed during 2016 and 45 arthropod samples were collected. The samples were first morphologically identified, and DNA barcoding was conducted on a subset of 16 representative samples using universal primers specific to the Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene of most insects. The results indicated the presence of two species of scale insects (Parasaissetia nigra and Saissetia coffeae) and two mealybug species (Maconellicoccus hirsutus and Ferrisia virgata), some ofwhich are potential grapevine virus vectors, in Nigerian vineyards. In addition, the natural enemies of these insect species were detected which includes three species of parasitoids (Anagyrus kamali, Anagyrus pseudococci and Encarsia inaron) and one predator (Hyperaspidius mimus). While the detection of mealybugs and scale insects underscore the risk of vector-mediated virus spread in Nigerian vineyards, the identification of their natural enemies indicates presence of natural biological control agents to facilitate an integrated management of economically important grapevine virus diseases in the country. Keywords: Mealybugs; scale insects; parasitoids and predators; insect vectors; grapevine viruses.

Biodiversity of Natural Enemies of Pseudococcidae in the Semiarid Region of Brazil

Pseudococcidae species, also known as mealybugs, comprises a complex of pests in various cultivated and non-cultivated plant species, among which fruit plants are most affected by both direct and indirect damage. The incidence of these pest species has been constant in productive environments, causing significant losses due to sap suction, virus transmission, and damage to fruit quality. Thus, this study aimed to know and investigate the population dynamics of natural enemies of Pseudococcidae in different fruit plants cultivated in the semiarid region of Brazil. For this, mealybugs associated with roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of vine, pear, apple, persimmon, guava, and acerola trees were collected biweekly in 14 properties in the São Francisco Valley region, from July 2016 to June 2017. These mealybugs were properly separated for the removal of their predators and the emergence of parasitoids associated with them (Pseudococcidae). Coccophagus sp., Aenasius sp., Anagyrus kamali, Anagyrus sp. 1, Anagyrus sp. 2, Anagyrus sp. 3, Anagyrus sp. 4, Coccidoxenoides perminutus, Gyranusoidea indica, Leptomastix dactylopii, Prochiloneurus sp., Aprostocetus sp., and Signiphora sp. were identified as parasitoids and Diadiplosis multifila, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Tenuisvalvae notata, Cycloneda sanguinea, and Hippodamia convergens were identified as predators, in addition to unidentified species of Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae.

On the origin of Anagyrus callidus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of pink hibiscus mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Anagyrus callidus Triapitsyn, Andreason & Perring (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), recently described from southern California, USA and Mexico, is a primary parasitoid of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). This wasp species previously was misidentified as Anagyrus kamali Moursi, which was introduced and released as such in the United States (California and Florida) and Mexico. In this paper, the origin of A. callidus is shown to be from Taiwan, based on differences in the morphology and molecular sequences of voucher specimens of an earlier colony of the misidentified A. kamali from Puerto Rico (released in August 2002 in southern Florida), and specimens that originated in southern Taiwan.

New Records of Parasitoids Hymenopteran (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) Associated With Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the State of São Paulo

Survey of hymenoptera parasitoids of pink-hibiscus-mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) infesting Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was conducted in two municipalities of state of São Paulo, Brazil from August 2016 to August 2017. Nine species of chalcidoid wasps were obtained: Anagyrus kamali Moursi (1948); Anagyrus sp. aff. mirtesae Noyes and Menezes (2000); Anagyrus sp.; Bothriocraera bicolor Compere and Zinna (1955); Cheiloneurus sp., Gyranusoidea deionae Noyes (2000); Prochiloneurus sp. (Encyrtidae); Aprostocetus sp. (Eulophidae); and Chartocerus sp. (Signiphoridae). Anagyrus kamali and G. deionae were the most frequent species, corresponding to 67.26% and 22.62% of the parasitoids, respectively. Bothriocraera bicolor, Chartocerus and G. deionae are recorded for the first time associated with M. hirsutus. Gyranusoidea deionae and B. bicolor are recorded for the first time in Brazil. The seasonal study of M. hirsutus and its parasitoids was carried out in January to December 2017on 16 hibiscus plants, aligned in the hedge in the experimental area of the FCAV/UNESP in Jaboticabal, SP. For this purpose, ovisacs, nymphs and adults of mealybug were counting on infested plants and the adult parasitoids collected in Möerick traps. Maconellicoccus hirsutus was observed during the periods of January-March and October-December, with the highest infestation in January and February. In the traps, a total of 92 specimens of pink-mealybug parasitoids were obtained: 65% belonging to A. kamali and 35% to G. deionae.

Population fluctuations in the pink hibiscus mealybug and its natural enemies in Annona squamosa (Annonaceae) in Roraima, Brazil

ABSTRACT Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae), a species of economic interest, especially for fruit plants, is expanding on the South American continent. Information about the population dynamics of this pest associated with control by natural enemies and cultural practices is fundamental for its management. Our objective was to study the population fluctuations in M. hirsutus and its natural enemies in a sugar-apple (Annona squamosa) orchard in Roraima, northern Brazil. Trees were evaluated monthly over a 12-month period. Infestation rates by M. hirsutus and its parasitism were also estimated for potential host plants around the study area. Highest infestation occurred in August and February-March. Alternative hosts were infested during the off-season, mainly fruit. Lacewings and the parasitoid Anagyrus kamali (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) were abundant natural enemies. Average parasitism by A. kamali in fruits was 50%, with highest rates in periods of greatest infestation by M. hirsutus. Fruitification pruning reduced M. hirsutus populations.

First report of Maconellicoccus hirsutus(Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) and the associated parasitoid Anagyrus kamali Moursi, 1948 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), in Brazil

The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and the associated hymenopterous parasitoid, Anagyrus kamali Moursi, 1948 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), are reported for the first time in Brazil. Specimens of the PHM were collected on nine hosts plants, Annona muricata L. (Anonnaceae), Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabaceae), Centrolobium paraensis Tul. (Fabaceae), Inga edulis Mart. (Fabaceae), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae), Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae), Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae) and Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), in four municipalities in the north-northeast of the state of Roraima. The plants C. paraensis, I. edulis and C. sinensis are recorded for the first time as a hosts for PHM. Characteristic injuries observed on the host plants infested by PHM and suggestions for its management are presented.

Primer reporte de Anagyrus kamali Moursi y Gyranusoidea indica Shafee, Alam y Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoides de la cochinilla rosada del hibisco Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) en la isla de San Andres, Col.

<p>Se reporta por primera vez la presencia de <em>Anagyrus kamali </em>Moursi y <em>Gyranusoidea indica </em>Shafee, Alam y Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoides de la cochinilla rosada del hibisco (CRH), <em>Maconellicoccus hirsutus </em>(Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) en la Isla de San Andrés, Colombia. Se proveen notas breves para diferenciar las dos especies de parasitoides. </p><p> </p><p><strong>First report of <em>Anagyrus kamali </em>Moursi and <em>Gyranusoidea indica </em>Shafee, Alam and Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoids of the pink hibiscus mealybug <em>Maconellicoccus hirsutus </em>(Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), on San Andres Island, Colombia </strong></p><p>Here we report for the first time the presence of <em>Anagyrus kamali </em>Moursi and <em>Gyranusoidea indica </em>Shafee, Alam and Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoids of the pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), <em>Maconellicoccus hirsutus </em>(Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), on San Andres Island, Colombia. Brief notes are provided to allow differentiation of the two parasitoid species. </p>