Laboratory evaluation of the life history of hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecocus viridis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), on selected citrus and potential non-citrus hosts in Florida

Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an emerging invasive pest of citrus. There is no information on the life history of N. viridis in relation to citrus cultivars produced in Florida. Here, we quantified the life-history parameters of N. viridis on 6 citrus and 3 non-citrus host plant species under laboratory conditions. We also investigated the effect of mode of reproduction (sexual vs. parthenogenic) on the fecundity of N. viridis. Nipaecoccus viridis was able to develop to maturity and reproduce on all host plant taxa tested. The individual host plants affected the developmental and survival rate, adult longevity, and offspring production of N. viridis. All citrus genotypes commercially grown in Florida were susceptible to N. viridis, with the exception of Citrus aurantium L., which suggests that there is need for management of this invasive pest in Florida citrus groves. Murraya paniculata L., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., and Punica granatum L. were also acceptable hosts for N. viridis. Sexually reproducing female N. viridis produced significantly more eggs than those reproducing asexually. Based on our results, propagation of M. paniculata and other citrus relatives should be discouraged around citrus groves in Florida. Given the fitness benefit of sexual reproduction in this pest, pheromone-based tools like mating disruption and mass trapping of adult males could be considered as part of an integrated pest management program with insecticides.

Automated summary

This study quantified the life-history parameters and reproductive ability of the invasive pest N. viridis on citrus and non-citrus host plants cultivated in Florida. The results showed that all citrus cultivars were susceptible to N. viridis, except for Citrus aurantium, indicating the need for pest management in citrus groves. Additionally, other host plants like M. paniculata, H. rosa-sinensis, and P. granatum were found to be suitable hosts for N. viridis.