Tag Archives: Pseudococcidae

Hemiptera, Insects, Mites & Earthworms

Pseudococcus elisae Borchsenius: Banana Mealybug

April 7, 2015 Jason Leathers

California Pest Rating for

Pseudococcus elisae Borchsenius: Banana Mealybug

Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

Pest Rating: A

PEST RATING PROFILE

Initiating Event:

Pseudococcus elisae is frequently intercepted by CDFA and requires a pest rating proposal to support its pest rating.

History & Status:

Background: Pseudococcus elisae is a polyphagous Neotropical mealybug that feeds on a variety of cultivated plants, but most often on banana and other Musaceae¹. Known hosts include: Annonaceae: sugar apple (Annona squamosa¹); Araceae: Aglaonema spp.¹, Dieffenbachia spp.¹; Musaceae: Musa spp.¹, latundan banana (Musa sapientum¹), plantain (Musa paradisiaca¹); Rubiaceae: robusta coffee (Coffea canephora¹), arabica coffee (Coffea arabica¹), Ixora spp.¹; Rutaceae: key lime (Citrus aurantifolia¹). Pseudococcus elisae may be transported long distances when infested plants or fresh plant parts are moved.

Worldwide Distribution: Pseudococcus elisae is native to the Neotropical region. It is established in Mexico³, Guatemala³, Honduras³, Panama³, Colombia³, Ecuador³, Brazil³, Chile³, and Cuba³. It was confirmed to be established in Hawaii in 1984².

Official Control: Pseudococcus elisae is listed as a harmful organism by Chile, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Paraguay⁴.

California Distribution: Pseudococcus elisae has never been found in the environment of California.

California Interceptions: Between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014 Pseudococcus elisae was intercepted by CDFA’s high risk programs, border stations, and dog teams 97 times. Interceptions have occurred on bananas, cut flowers, nursery stock, and other fresh plant parts.

The risk Pseudococcus elisae would pose to California is evaluated below.

Consequences of Introduction:

1) Climate/Host Interaction: Pseudococcus elisae is a tropical species with a host range that includes some plants grown outdoors in the warmer regions of California (e.g. key lime, banana). If the mealybug were to enter the state it would likely be limited to regions where these host plants are available. It receives a Medium (2) in this category.

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California. Score:

– Low (1) Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.
– Medium (2) may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.
– High (3) likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.

2) Known Pest Host Range: Pseudococcus elisae is known to feed on 10 species of plants in 5 families. It receives a Medium (2) in this category.

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:

– Low (1) has a very limited host range.
– Medium (2) has a moderate host range.
– High (3) has a wide host range.

3) Pest Dispersal Potential: Mealybugs are capable of rapid reproduction and can be transported long distances when infested plants or fresh plant parts are moved. They may also disperse locally by crawling, wind, or by hitchhiking on clothing, equipment, or animals. Pseudococcus elisae receives a High (3) in this category.

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:

– Low (1) does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.
– Medium (2) has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.
– High (3) has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.

4) Economic Impact: Pseudococcus elisae may lower the value of nursery stock by disfiguring plants with its presence. Several of California’s trading partners consider the mealybug a harmful organism. It is possible that Pseudococcus elisae could disrupt markets for nursery stock and fresh fruit. The mealybug receives a Medium (2) in this category.

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:

A. The pest could lower crop yield.
B. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).
C. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).
D. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.
E. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.
F. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.
G. The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agri5) cultural uses.

– Low (1) causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.
– Medium (2) causes 2 of these impacts.
– High (3) causes 3 or more of these impacts.

5) Environmental Impact: Pseudococcus elisae is not expected to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes. It is not expected to directly affect threatened or endangered species or disrupt critical habitats. It may trigger new treatment programs in the nursery industry and by residents who find infested plants unsightly. It is not expected to significantly impact cultural practices, home/urban gardening, or ornamental plantings. Pseudococcus elisae receives a Medium (2) in this category.

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.

A. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.
B. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.
C. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.
D. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.
E. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:

– Low (1) causes none of the above to occur.
– Medium (2) causes one of the above to occur.
– High (3) causes two or more of the above to occur.

**Consequences of Introduction to California for Pseudococcus elisae: Medium (11)**

Add up the total score and include it here.

– Low = 5-8 points
– Medium = 9-12 points
– High = 13-15 points

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information: Pseudococcus elisae has never been found in the environment of California and receives a Not established (0) in this category.

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.

– Not established (0) Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.
– Low (-1) Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate/host area (region).
– Medium (-2) Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate/host areas.
– High (-3) Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate/host areas.

Final Score:

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: Medium (11)

Uncertainty:

It is possible that the host range of Pseudococcus elisae could be greater than is presently known. It is also possible that most of the climate of California could be unsuitable for establishment of the species.

Conclusion and Rating Justification:

Pseudococcus elisae has never been found in California. If it were to enter the state significant economic impacts could be expected on the nursery and fruit industries. An “A” rating is justified.

References:

¹ Miller, Dug, Yair Ben-Dov, Gary Gibson, and Nate Hardy. ScaleNet. http://scalenet.info/validname/Pseudococcus/elisae/

²Beardsley, John W. 1986. Taxonomic Notes on Pseudococcus elisae Borchsenius, a Mealybug New to the Hawaiian Fauna (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). Journal Series no. 2942 of the Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resource. 26(1): 31-34. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/handle/10125/11188/26_31-34.pdf?sequence=1

³CABI Invasive Species Compendium: Pseudococcus elisae (banana mealybug). http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/45085

⁴USDA Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance & Tracking System (PCIT) Phytosanitary Export Database (PExD). https://pcit.aphis.usda.gov/pcit/

Responsible Party:

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.

Pest Rating: A

Posted by ls

Hemiptera, Insects, Mites & Earthworms

Paracoccus gillianae and Pseudococcus inconstans (formerly variabilis and sp. a): Agave Mealybugs

April 1, 2015 Jason Leathers

California Pest Rating for

Paracoccus gillianae and Pseudococcus inconstans (formerly variabilis and sp. A): Agave Mealybugs

Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

Pest Rating: C

PEST RATING PROFILE

Initiating Event:

Two species of mealybugs have been found outdoors in California and are often found during nursery inspections of agave plants. The two insects, Paracoccus gillianae and the undescribed Pseudococcus sp. A (the A is for agave), are presently assigned a temporary rating of “Q”. A pest rating proposal is required to assign a permanent pest rating.

History & Status:

Background: Nothing is known of the biology of the agave mealybugs except that they appear to be mostly limited to agave in nurseries.

Worldwide Distribution: Unknown, possibly native to the southwestern United States or Mexico. The species appear to be moving about in the nursery trade. Specimens of Paracoccus gillianae have been collected in nurseries in seven counties in Florida and have been found outdoors at the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens in Duval County².

Official Control: The agave mealybugs are not known to be under official control anywhere in the world.

California Distribution: In California Pseudococcus sp. A was found outdoors in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties in the 1980’s and 1990’s. It was found outdoors again in San Diego County in 2012 (PDRs 1326984 and 1401481). Paracoccus gillianae was found outdoors in Riverside County in 2012 (PDRs 1590291 and 1590292).

California Interceptions: Paracoccus gillianae and Pseudococcus sp. A have both been found in nurseries many times. USDA intercepted Paracoccus gillianae on plants from Mexico at Nogales in 1952 and San Diego in 1974. CDFA intercepted Paracoccus gillianae on plants that originated in Mexico in 2008 (PDR 1357956).

The risk agave mealybugs would pose to California is evaluated below.

Consequences of Introduction:

1) Climate/Host Interaction: Agaves are popular in the nursery industry in California. Agave mealybugs are presumed likely to establish in residential areas where agaves are grown ornamentally and in desert ecosystems where native agaves grow. The agave mealybugs receive a Medium(2) rating for this category.

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California. Score:

2) Known Pest Host Range: The agave mealybugs appear to feed primarily on agave plants (Agave spp.). There are also records from other plants in the Agavaceae: Pseudococcus sp. A on aloe (PDR 1554869) and Paracoccus gillianae on Hesperaloe sp. and Yucca sp. The agave mealybugs receive a Low (1) rating for this category.

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:

– Low (1) has a very limited host range.
– Medium (2) has a moderate host range.
– High (3) has a wide host range.

3) Pest Dispersal Potential: Mealybugs can reproduce quickly but do not fly and therefore do not usually disperse far from their original host plant. However, mealybugs may be dispersed long distances by wind, by hitchhiking on animals or clothing, or by commerce in infested plants. The agave mealybugs receive a High (3) rating for this category.

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:

– Low (1) does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.
– Medium (2) has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.
– High (3) has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.

4) Economic Impact: The agave mealybugs have never been documented to cause economic damage anywhere, but dense infestations are unsightly and have been seen killing patches of leaf. Pseudococcus sp. A. has been found on the agave produced commercially for tequila production in Mexico. However, they are not documented as economic pests in their native range. Some nurseries are treating their agaves to prevent contamination by the mealybugs, increasing production costs. The agave mealybugs receive a Low (1) rating for this category.

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:

A. The pest could lower crop yield.
B. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).
C. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).
D. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.
E. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.
F. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.
G. The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.

– Low (1) causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.
– Medium (2) causes 2 of these impacts.
– High (3) causes 3 or more of these impacts.

5) Environmental Impact: A widespread establishment of the agave mealybugs may result in increased pesticide use by nurseries and residents. Nurseries in Santa Barbara County have had difficulty in eradicating infestations using topical insecticide treatments resulting in repeated applications to get them under control. Other nurseries are using systemic insecticides to prevent the mealybugs from showing up on their agaves¹. Therefore, if the rating were changed for the agave mealybugs it is expected to reduce pesticide use. There are no plants in the genera Agave, Aloe, Hesperaloe, or Yucca listed as threatened or endangered plants in California. There are no reports of agave mealybugs causing environmental damage anywhere in the world. The agave mealybugs receive a Low (1) rating for this category.

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.

A. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.
B. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.
C. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.
D. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.
E. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:

– Low (1) causes none of the above to occur.
– Medium (2) causes one of the above to occur.
– High (3) causes two or more of the above to occur.

Consequences of Introduction to California for Agave Mealybugs: Low (8)

Add up the total score and include it here.

-Low = 5-8 points
-Medium = 9-12 points
-High = 13-15 points

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information: Agave mealybugs have been found in the environment of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties. They receive a Low (-1) in this category.

Final Score:

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: Low (7)

Uncertainty:

It is possible that the agave mealybugs could have a wider host range than is known, resulting in greater consequences from establishment. It is also likely that the mealybugs have spread to other states where Agavaceae grow.

Conclusion and Rating Justification:

The agave mealybugs Paracoccus gillianae and Pseudococcus sp. A have been found outdoors in California and appear to be established in the nursery system. They do not appear to be causing any economic damage (other than through their quarantine status). They are not expected to have significant environmental impacts to California. A C-rating is justified for these pests.

References:

¹http://www.xericworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2831

²Von Ellenrieder, Natalia and Ian C. Stocks. 2014. A new species of mealybug in the genus Paracoccus Ezzat & McConnell from North America (Insecta: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae). Zootaxa 3873(1):025-036.

Responsible Party:

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.

Pest Rating: C

Posted by ls

Hemiptera, Insects, Mites & Earthworms

Delottococcus confusus (De Lotto): A Protea Mealybug

March 16, 2015 Jason Leathers

California Pest Rating for

Delottococcus confusus (De Lotto): A Protea Mealybug

Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

Pest Rating: C

PEST RATING PROFILE

Initiating Event:

In association with a nursery regulatory inspection on November 20, 2012, San Luis Obispo County inspectors collected a sample of mealybugs from Protea trees in a residential neighborhood. On November 21, Dr. Natalia von Ellenrieder (CDFA) identified these mealybugs as Delottococcus confusus DeLotto (PDR 1599182). This was the first time this species was found in an outdoor situation in California not on nursery stock.

History & Status:

Background: Delottococcus confusus is primarily known as a pest of Proteaceae (Protea sp., P. caffra, P. cynarioides, Leucadendron sp. and Leucadendron argenteum). Other host records include Brunia and Berzelia lanuginose (Bruniaceae) (PDR 1267226), Canthium subovatum (Rubiaceae), Carissa sp. (Apocynaceae), Lycium sp. and Lycium tetrandrum (Solanaceae), Mimusops sp. and Mimusops caffra (Sapotaceae), Plectranthus sp. (Lamiaceae), Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), Trichilia sp. and Trichilia emetica (Meliaceae), and Xymalos monospora (Monimiaceae)¹. Because the host plants (Proteaceae) are commonly grown for both cut flowers and landscape plants, Delottococcus confusus may be spread through international plant trade.

Worldwide Distribution: Delottococcus confusus is native to South Africa². The only other locality where the mealybug is known to be present is Hawaii¹. Records from Portugal³ may be based on a species misidentification.

Official Control: Delottococcus confusus is not known to be under official control anywhere.

California Distribution: Delottococcus confusus was first found in the environment in November 2012 on protea trees in a residential neighborhood of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County. Follow-up surveys for the mealybug found it in neighboring Morro Bay (PDRs FR0P06009404 and FR0P06009408) and Escondido, San Diego County (PDR SD0P06153483).

California Interceptions: Delottococcus confusus was first found on cut protea flowers that originated from a nursery in San Diego County in April 2003 (PDR 1254887). In December 2003 the mealybugs were found on protea plants in a nursery in Monterey County (PDR 1402552). In 2004 they were next found on protea plants and Berzelia lanuginose in two nurseries in Ventura County (PDRs 1267227, 1267226, 1267251, 1267252, 1267253) as well as protea plants in a nursery in San Luis Obispo County (PDRs 1334145, 1334146, 1334147, 1334148, 1334139, 1334401, 1334992, 1334993 1334998, 1334999, 1335000). In 2005 the mealybug was found on protea plants in a nursery in Santa Cruz County (PDR 1289989) and on cut protea flowers that originated from a second nursery in San Diego County (PDR 1367761). Then in November 2006 a heavy infestation of the mealybug was found outdoors on Leucadendron argenteum trees and to a lesser extent other protea at a nursery in Sonoma County⁴ (PDRs 1428445, 1428417). In 2007 CDFA began to intercept the mealybugs on shipments of cut flowers and foliage from Hawaii (PDRs 1423774, 1354945, 1556872, 1556886, 1494189, 1649533, 1509569, 1544327, 1649626, 1555754, 1555768, 1631162, 300P06039982, 300P06039987, 1544072, 1544071, 1609382, 300P06040043, 450P06001871, 1641489, 190P06058445, 300P06040121). In 2008 Delottococcus confusus resurfaced on protea plants at the same nursery in San Luis Obispo County (PDRs 1458700, 1458708). In 2009 they were found on protea plants in a greenhouse and outside at a second nursery in San Luis Obispo County (PDRs 1459343, 1335105 ) as well as at a nursery in Santa Barbara County (PDR 1555084). In 2010 they were intercepted on protea plants from a 2^nd nursery in Santa Barbara County (PDR 1645051), and in 2011 they were found on protea plants at a repeat nursery (PDR 1554851) and a new nursery (PDR 1658335) in Santa Barbara County. In 2012 they were found on protea plants at a nursery in Riverside County (PDR 1590378) and intercepted on a shipment of cut flowers from a nursery in Santa Barbara County (PDR 1576404). And in November 2012 they were found in a repeat nursery in San Luis Obispo County where they were found in 2009 (PDR 1599179), as well as in a residential neighborhood near that nursery (PDR 1599182).

The risk Delottococcus confusus poses to California is evaluated below.

Consequences of Introduction:

1) Climate/Host Interaction: Proteaceae are commonly grown as ornamental plants in California and are common in the nursery industry. Delottococcus confusus is expected to be able to establish wherever these plants are grown. D. confusus receives a High (3) rating in this category.

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California. Score:

– Low (1) not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas
– Medium (2) may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California
– High (3) likely to establish a widespread distribution in California

2) Pest Host Range: All of the Delottococcus confusus collected in the United States to date have been on Proteaceae except for one record on Berzelia lanuginose (Bruniaceae). However, there are records of the mealybug from South Africa, verified by a taxonomic expert, on a variety of other hosts in eight other plant families¹. D. confusus receives a Medium (2) in this category.

Evaluate the host range of the pest:

– Low (1) has a very limited host range
– Medium (2) has a moderate host range
– High (3) has a wide host range

3) Pest Dispersal Potential: Delottococcus confusus has demonstrated its ability to disperse long distances through the trade of ornamental plants and flowers. Mealybugs may also be dispersed by wind. They are capable of rapid reproduction and large infestations of the mealybug have appeared relatively rapidly in California⁴. D. confusus receives a High (3) in this category.

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:

– Low (1) does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.
– Medium (2) has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.
– High (3) has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.

4) Economic Impact: Heavy infestations of Delottococcus confusus are capable of damaging nursery stock by causing necrosis of leaves and growing tips and may kill trees⁴. The mealybug may also cause significant problems for proteas grown for cut flowers4 by contaminating flowers by their presence, honeydew, and sooty mold⁵. Cut flowers are a $477 million industry in California and other states and nations may reject infested flowers. Furthermore, D. confusus has been recorded from guava (Psidium guajava)¹. Guava is a very popular tree in the Southern California landscape and there is at least some commercial guava production in California that may be affected. D. confusus could trigger a loss of markets and may increase production costs of nursery stock and cut flowers. The mealybug receives a Medium (2) rating in this category.

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:

A. The pest could lower crop yield.
B. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).
C. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).
D. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.
E. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.
F. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.
G. The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.

– Low (1) causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.
– Medium (2) causes 2 of these impacts.
– High (3) causes 3 or more of these impacts.

5) Environmental Impact: There are no plants listed as threatened or endangered in California that are expected to be hosts of Delottococcus confusus. Populations of the mealybug have been found established in residential areas and outdoor nursery settings and do not appear to be triggering any additional treatment programs by residents or industry. Furthermore there is no evidence that any residents are replacing infested plants with alternative species. Protea plants supporting populations of D. confusus are still alive in an abandoned nursery setting in San Diego County, suggesting that unmanaged populations of D. confusus may not kill plants. D. confusus receives a Low (1) rating in this category.

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.

A. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.
B. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.
C. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.
D. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.
E. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:

– Low (1) causes none of the above to occur.
– Medium (2) causes one of the above to occur.
– High (3) causes two or more of the above to occur.

Consequences of Introduction to California for Delottococcus confusus: Medium (11)

Add up the total score and include it here.

– Low = 5-8 points
– Medium = 9-12 points
– High = 13-15 points

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information: Delottococcus confusus has been found to be established by survey in San Luis Obispo County and San Diego County. The mealybug receives a High (-3) in this category.

Evaluate the known distribution of pest in California. Only official records and published records identified by a taxonomic expert and backed up by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.

– Not established (0) Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.
– Low (-1) Pest has a localized distribution in California; or is established in 1 California ecoarea
(region)
– Medium (-2) Pest is widespread in California but has not fully established in the endangered area; or pest established in 2 contiguous ecoareas
– High (-3) Pest has fully established in the endangered area; or pest reported in more than 2 contiguous or non-contiguous ecoareas

Consequences of Introduction to California for Delottococcus confusus: Low (8)

Add up the total score and include it here.

– Low = 5-8 points
– Medium = 9-12 points
– High = 13-17 points

Uncertainty:

Outside of the areas where Delottococcus confusus has been found in the environment, populations of the mealybug have been found in outdoor situations in other nurseries at distant locations, sometimes in large populations. It is probable that the mealybug has escaped into the environment from some of these nurseries or other undetected, similar situations. The mealybug may have a larger distribution in the state than is realized.

Under some circumstances, heavy infestations of the pest might trigger additional treatment programs in the nursery industry or by residents who find infested ornamental plants unacceptable. The mealybug could also cause minor alteration of urban landscaping as some residents and landscapers may replace infested plants with alternative species. This could lead to a moderate, albeit localized, environmental impact in some cases.

Conclusion and Rating Justification:

Delottococcus confusus has been appearing in California’s nursery system for a decade. Surveys have now revealed that the pest is established in San Luis Obispo County and San Diego County. There is no evidence that the mealybug is significantly impacting the environment or economy. The mealybug is probably present in other parts of California and is expected to establish a widespread distribution in the state. The Low (8) consequences of the mealybug in California justify an C rating.

References:

¹Miller, D.R. and J.H. Giliomee. 2011. Systematic revision of the mealybug genus Delottococcus Cox & Ben-Dov (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). African Entomology 19(3): 614–640. http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Coccoidea/Delottococcus.pdf

²Lotto, G. De. 1977. On some African mealybugs (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae). Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa. 40(1):13-36. http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/19770546873.html

³Leandro, M.J., Oliveira, M., Passarinho, A.M., Figueiredo, E., Franco, J.C., Neves-Martins, J. and Mexia, A. 2008. ASSESSMENT OF PARASITISM BY ANAGYRUS PSEUDOCOCCI AND LEPTOMASTIX DACTYLOPII ON MEALYBUGS FROM PROTEACEAE. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 805:121-126 http://www.actahort.org/books/805/805_14.htm

⁴Watson, Gillian. 2006. HEMIPTERA: STERNORRHYNCHA: NEW FEDERAL RECORDS. California Plant Pest and Disease Report 23(1):10. http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ppd/PDF/CPPDR_2006_23-1.pdf

⁵Mazzeo, G., J.C. Franco, and A. Russo. 2009. A new Paracoccus species from Palaearctic region (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae) . Zootaxa 2274: 62–68 http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02274p068.pdf

⁶Sasa, A. 2011. Arthropods associated with commercial Proteaceae in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/6805

Responsible Party:

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.

Pest Rating: C

Posted by ls

Hemiptera, Insects, Mites & Earthworms

Paracoccus hakeae Williams: A Protea Mealybug – SYNONYM: Phenacoccus hakeae

March 16, 2015 Jason Leathers

California Pest Rating for

Paracoccus hakeae Williams: A Protea Mealybug

Synonym: Phenacoccus hakeae

Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

Pest Rating: C

PEST RATING PROFILE

Initiating Event:

In March 2013, a visual delimitation survey was conducted in a 400m radius in Los Osos (San Luis Obispo County) following the first detection of the mealybug Delottococcus confusus in California. Mealybugs collected on 10 residential properties during this survey were identified as Phenacoccus hakeae by Drs. Gillian Watson and Natalia von Ellenrieder on March 29, 2012, a new continental record.

History & Status:

Background: Phenacoccus hakeae was described from specimens collected on Hakea sericea (Proteaceae) in New South Wales, Australia¹. It has also been intercepted by USDA-APHIS on cut flowers (Persoonia sp., Leucospermum sp., and other Proteaceae) imported from Australia and also on cut flowers (presumably Proteaceae) in shipments from the Netherlands². In San Luis Obispo County, the mealybugs have been collected on Leucadendron sp. (PDRs FR0P06009425, FR0P06009426, and FR0P06009430), Protea sp. (PDRs FR0P06009383, FR0P06009384, FR0P06009386, FR0P06009387, FR0P06009389, FR0P06009400, FR0P06009401, FR0P06009421, FR0P06009423, FR0P06009427, FR0P06009429, FR0P06009431, FR0P06009433, and FR0P06009434), and Grevillea sp. (PDR FR0P06009428). Because the host plants (Proteaceae) are commonly grown for both cut flowers and landscape plants, Phenacoccus hakeae may be spread through international plant trade. The biology of the mealybug is unknown.

Worldwide Distribution: Phenacoccus hakeae is native to New South Wales, Australia. Its presence in shipments from the Netherlands suggests that it may also be present in some other countries that trade in Proteaceae.

Official Control: Phenacoccus hakeae is listed as an injurious animal on Japan’s plant pest quarantine list³.

California Distribution: In California, Phenacoccus hakeae was first known from an incursion into the environment of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County. A follow-up survey indicates that the mealybug should be considered “established by survey” in San Luis Obispo County. In addition to Los Osos, populations have been found in the cities of Morro Bay, Shell Beach, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach, Cayucos, and Pismo Beach.

California Interceptions: Phenacoccus hakeae has been found in nurseries in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

The risk Phenacoccus hakeae would pose to California is evaluated below.

Consequences of Introduction:

1) Climate/Host Interaction: Proteaceae are commonly grown as ornamental plants in California and are common in the nursery industry. Phenacoccus hakeae is expected to be able to establish wherever these plants are grown. The mealybug receives a High (3) rating in this category.

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California. Score:

– Low (1) Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.
– Medium (2) may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.
– High (3) likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.

2) Known Pest Host Range: Phenacoccus hakeae is only known to feed on plants in the family Proteaceae. P. hakeae receives a Low (1) in this category.

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:

– Low (1) has a very limited host range.
– Medium (2) has a moderate host range.
– High (3) has a wide host range.

3) Pest Dispersal Potential: Phenacoccus hakeae has demonstrated its ability to disperse long distances through the trade of ornamental plants and flowers. Mealybugs may also be dispersed by wind. They are capable of rapid reproduction. Phenacoccus hakeae receives a High (3) in this category.

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:

4) Economic Impact: Phenacoccus hakeae is not documented as a pest anywhere in scientific literature. However, mealybugs may cause significant problems for protea grown for cut flowers by contaminating flowers by their presence, honeydew, and sooty mold⁴. Cut flowers are a $477 million industry in California; other states and nations might reject infested flowers. Since Phenacoccus hakeae may increase production costs and trigger the loss of markets for proteas, the mealybug receives a Medium (2) rating in this category.

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:

– Low (1) causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.
– Medium (2) causes 2 of these impacts.
– High (3) causes 3 or more of these impacts.

5) Environmental Impact: There are no plants listed as threatened or endangered in California that are expected to be hosts of Phenacoccus hakeae. Populations of the mealybug have been found established in residential areas and a botanical garden and do not appear to be triggering any additional treatment programs. Furthermore there is no evidence that any residents are replacing infested plants with alternative species. Since Phenacoccus hakeae appears to be established in the environment and is not causing any significant environmental impacts it receives a Low (1) rating in this category.

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.

A. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.
B. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.
C. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.
D. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.
E. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:

– Low (1) causes none of the above to occur.
– Medium (2) causes one of the above to occur.
– High (3) causes two or more of the above to occur.

Consequences of Introduction to California for Phenacoccus hakeae: Medium (10)

Add up the total score and include it here.

– Low = 5-8 points
– Medium = 9-12 points
– High = 13-15 points

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information: Phenacoccus hakeae is widely established in the environment of San Luis Opispo County. The mealybug receives a Medium (-2) in this category.

– Not established (0) Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.
– Low (-1) Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate/host area (region).
– Medium (-2) Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate/host areas.
– High (-3) Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate/host areas.

Final Score:

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: Low (8)

Uncertainty:

Several species of Hakea plants are considered invasive weeds in some places; Phenacoccus hakeae may be a valuable natural enemy of these weeds or an indicator of their presence. Some mealybugs in one sample collected from Los Osos had been parasitized (PDR FR0P06009429). It is possible that parasitoids, either native to California or introduced along with the mealybugs, are helping to mitigate impacts of this new pest. It is also possible that species present in additional nations may be junior synonyms of Phenacoccus hakeae, and that the worldwide distribution of the mealybug may be greater.

It is possible that the natural habitat of Phenacoccus hakeae is sufficiently remote that its host range is not well documented. It is possible that it could colonize many other plants. High populations of the mealybug might trigger additional treatment programs in the nursery industry or by residents who find infested ornamental plants unacceptable. Large infestations of the mealybug could cause minor alterations of urban landscaping as residents and landscapers replace infested plants with alternative species.

Conclusion and Rating Justification:

Phenacoccus hakeae has established a widespread distribution on Proteaceae in San Luis Obispo County. It does not appear to be having any significant economic or environmental impacts. Therefore, a C rating is justified.

References:

¹http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/catalogs/pseudoco/Phenacoccushakeae.htm

²http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/federal_order/downloads/2010/NetherlandsCutFlowersRevised.pdf

³http://www.ippc.int/file_uploaded/1359088733_qp_list_25July2012.pdf

⁴Mazzeo, G., J. C. Franco, and A. Russo. 2009. A new Paracoccus species from Palaearctic region (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae) . Zootaxa 2274: 62–68 http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02274p068.pdf