Pacific Mealybug | Pest Rating Proposals and Final Ratings

California Pest Rating for

Planococcus minor (Maskell): Pacific Mealybug

Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

Pest Rating: A

PEST RATING PROFILE

Initiating Event:

Planococcus minor is frequently intercepted by CDFA and is presently assigned a temporary rating of “Q”. A pest rating proposal is required to assign a permanent pest rating.

History & Status:

Background: Planococcus minor is a highly polyphagous mealybug that feeds on a wide variety of valuable agricultural crops and ornamental plants. Infestations may cause reduced yield, lower plant or fruit quality, stunted growth, discoloration, and leaf loss¹. The mealybugs also excrete large volumes of honeydew that reduces photosynthetic activity and attracts ants as it builds up on leaves and fruit¹. The mealybug can be an economic pest at low population densities by vectoring viruses that kill plants¹. However, it has not emerged as a serious economic pest in much of its range presumably due to the presence of predators and parasitoids¹. Known hosts include: Acanthaceae: Aphelandra sp.², Graptophyllum sp.², Justica carnea², Odontonema sp.², Pachystachys coecinea²; Amaranthaceae: Amaranthus sp.²; Anacardiaceae: cashew (Anacardium occidentale²), mango (Mangifera indica²), Rhus sp.², ambarella (Spondias dulcis²); Annonaceae: custard apple (Annona reticulata²), sugar apple (Annona squamosa²), soursop (Annona muricata²), ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata²); Apiaceae: celery (Apium graveolens²); Apocynaceae: Araujia sericofera², Hoya sp.², Plumeria rubra²; Araceae: Aglaonema sp.², Alocasia sp.², giant taro (Alocasia macrorhiza²), taro (Colocasia esculenta²), giant swamp taro (Cryptosperma chamissonis²), Dieffenbachia sp.², centipede tongavine (Epipremnum pinnatum²), Philodendron fonzii², water cabbage (Pistia stratioites²), Rhaphidophora vitiensis², arrowleaf elephant ear (Xanthosoma sagittifolium²), Xanthosoma nigrum²; Araliaceae: Aralia sp.², ivy (Hedera helix²), Polyscias guilfoylei², umbrella tree (Schefflera actinphylla²); Arecaceae: betel tree (Areca catechu²), Balaka seemanni², Chrysalidocarpus sp.², coconut tree (Cocos nucifera²), Kentia palm (Howeia forsteriana²); Asparagaceae: Dracaena sp.²; Asteraceae: black-jack (Bidens pilosa²), endive (Cichorium endivia²), Dahlia sp.², lilac tasselflower (Emilia sonchifolia²), Helianthus sp.², climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens²), sweetscent (Pluchea odorata²), node weed (Synedrella nodiflora²), French marigold (Tagetes patula²), Tithonia sp.², beach sunflower (Wedelia biflora²), common zinnia (Zinnia elegans²); Balsaminaceae: garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina²), Impatiens sultani²; Bignoniaceae: Bignonia sp.²; Boraginaceae: Spanish elm (Cordia alliodora²), Tournefortia argentata²; Brassicaceae: broccoli etc (Brassica oleracea²), Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis²), radish (Raphanus sativus²); Bromeliaceae: pineapple (Ananas comosus²); Burseraceae: java almond (Canarium indicum²), santa cruz nut (Canarium harveyi²); Cactaceae: higo chumbo (Harrisia portoricensis²); Casuarinaceae: Casuarina equisetifolia²; Clusiaceae: Alexandrian laurel balltree (Calophyllum inophyllum²); Combretaceae: Lumnitzera coccinea², tropical almond (Terminalia catappa²), Commelinaceae: Commelina sp.², Tradescantia sp.², Convolvulaceae: beach morning-glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae²), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas²), Merremia peltata²; Corynocarpaceae: Corynocarpus sp.²; Cucurbitaceae: watermelon (Citrullus lanatus²), cucumber (Cucumis sativus²), muskmelon (Cucumis melo²), squash (Cucurbita moschata²), squash (Cucurbita maxima²), squash (Cucurbita pepo²), chayote (Sechium edule²); Cyperaceae: coco-grass (Cyperus rotundus²); Dioscoreaceae: purple yam (Dioscorea alata²); Euphorbiaceae: chenille plant (Acalypha hispida²) , copperleaf (Acalypha godseffiana²), Acalypha tricolor², candlenut (Aleurites moluccana²), Antidesma sp.², garden croton (Codiaeum variegatum²), Croton sp.², poinsettia (Euphorbiaceae pulcherrima²), fireplant (Euphorbiaceae heterophylla²), Euphorbiaceae geniculata², Euphorbiaceae atoto², river poison tree (Excoecaria agallocha²), Glochidion ramiflorum², rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis²), Barbados nut (Jatropha curcas²), Macaranga aleuritoides², blush macaranga (Macaranga tanarius²), Macaranga macrophylla², Macaranga harveyana², food wrapper plant (Mallotus japonicus²), cassava (Manihot esculenta²), stonebreaker (Phyllanthus niruri²), castor oil plant (Ricinus communis²); Fabaceae: Acacia spirobis², soapbush wattle (Acacia holosericea²), needle bush (Acacia farnesiana²), Formosan Koa (Acacia confusa²), saga tree (Adenanthera pavonina²), peanut (Arachis hypogaea²), Napoleon’s plume (Bauhinia monandra²), Cajanus indicus², pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan²), Calliandra houstoniana², candle bush (Cassia alata²), Cassia imperialis², butterfly pea (Centrosema pubescens²), Erythrina sp.², Flemingia sp.², Gliricidia maculata², Gliricidia sepium², soybean (Glycine max²), Tahitian chestnut (Inocarpus fagifer²), white leadtree (Leucaena glauca²), white leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala²), sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica²), giant sensitive tree (Mimosa pigra²), velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens²), lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus²), siratro (Phaseolus atropurpureus²), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris²), Wisteria sp.²; Geraniaceae: Pelargonium sp.²; Heliconiaceae: Heliconia aurantiaca²; Iridaceae: Gladiolus sp.²; Lamiaceae: painted nettle (Coleus blumei²), Epimeredi indicum², comb bushmint (Hyptis pectinata²), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum²), sage (Salvia officinalis²); Lauraceae: avocado (Persea americana²); Lecythidaceae: fish poison tree (Barringtonia asiatica²); Liliaceae: common asparagus fern (Asparagus plumosus²), pale grass lily (Caesia parviflora²), spider lily (Crinum asiaticum²); Loganiaceae: false coffee tree (Fagraea racemosa²); Lythraceae: crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica²), Pemphis acidula²; Magnoliaceae: banana shrub (Michelia figo²); Malvaceae: Abutilon sp.², Gossypium sp.², sea hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus²), sunset muskmallow (Hibiscus manihot²), Kleinhovia hospita², Pavonia sp.², Theobroma cacao², Chinese bur (Triumfetta rhomboidea²); Marantaceae: Maranta sp.²; Moraceae: breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis²), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus²), paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera²), panama rubber tree (Castilloa elastica²), Ficus opositica², fig (Ficus carica²), Ficus congesta², weeping fig (Ficus benjamina²), white mulberry (Morus alba²); Musaceae: pink velvet banana (Musa velutina²), latundan banana (Musa sapientum²); Myristicaceae: Myristica macrantha²; Myrtaceae: rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta²), jambolan (Eugenia cumini²), mountain apple (Eugenia malaccensis²), common guava (Psidium guajava²); Oleaceae: Jasminum sp.², Onagraceae: primrose willow (Ludwigia octovalis²); Orchidaceae: Dendrobium veratrifolium²; Pandanaceae: Pandanus edulis², Pandanus foetida², Pandanus maliformis², Pandanus odoratissimus²; Passifloraceae: passion fruit (Passiflora edulis²); Phyllanthaceae: bishop wood (Bischofia javanica²); Piperaceae: Piper puberulum², kava (Piper methysticum²), matico (Piper aduncum²); Poaceae: sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum²), corn (Zea mays²); Proteaceae: macadamia nut (Macadamia tetraphylla²); Rhamnaceae: Alphitonia zizyphoides²; Rosaceae: Asian pear (Pyrus serotina²), china rose (Rosa chinensis²); Rubiaceae: Borreria laevis², Liberian coffee (Coffea liberica²), arabica coffee (Coffea arabica²), robusta coffee (Coffea canephora²), gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides²), beach gardenia (Guettarda speciosa²), jungle geranium (Ixora coccinea²), great morinda (Morinda citrifolia²), Tahitian gardenia (Randia tahitensis²); Rutaceae: bitter orange (Citrus aurantium²), lemon (Citrus limon²), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi²), key lime (Citrus aurantifolia²), mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata²), orange (Citrus sinensis²), pomelo (Citrus grandis²), Evodia hortensis²; Sapotaceae: sapodilla (Manilkara zapota²), taun (Pometia pinnata²); Scrophulariaceae: coral fountain (Russelia equisetiformis²); Solanaceae: raintree (Brunfelsia hispida²), chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens²), bell pepper (Capsicum annuum²), angel’s trumpet (Datura suaveolens²), devil’s trumpet (Datura metel²), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum²), turkey berry (Solanum torvum²), potato (Solanum tuberosum²), indian nightshade (Solanum indicum²), eggplant (Solanum melongena²), Theaceae: tea plant (Camellia sinensis²); Urticaceae: Boehmeria sp.², Leucosyke sp.², native mulberry (Pipturus argenteus²), Procris pedunculata²; Verbenaceae: pagoda flower (Clerodendrum paniculatum²), java glorybower (Clerodendrum fallax²), Clerodendrum disparifolium², Premna taitensis², Premna obtusifolia², Stachytarpheta sp.², teak (Tectona grandis²), Verbena sp.², simpleleaf chastetree (Vitex trifolia²); Vitaceae: grapevine (Vitis vinifera²); Zingiberaceae: red ginger (Alpinia purpurata²), shellflower (Alpinia nutans²), green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum²), white ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium²), torch ginger (Nicolaia speciosa²), ginger (Zingiber officinale²). Planococcus minor may be transported long distances when infested plants or fresh plant parts are moved.

Worldwide Distribution: Planococcus minor is probably Asian in origin¹. From there it has invaded much of the Neotropical region spanning from Mexico south to Argentina^1,2. It was first found in Hawaii in 2009 and Florida in 2010.

Official Control: Planococcus minor is listed as a harmful organism by China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan³.

California Distribution: Planococcus minor has never been found in the environment of California.

California Interceptions: Planococcus minor has been intercepted 89 times by CDFA’s high risk programs, border stations and dog teams. Interceptions have occurred on plants and fresh plant parts mostly from Hawaii, but also from Florida, Washington, and Pennsylvania.

The risk Planococcus minor (pacific mealybug) would pose to California is evaluated below.

Consequences of Introduction:

1) Climate/Host Interaction: Host plants of Planococcus minor are widely grown throughout California as agricultural crops and ornamentals. The mealybug is likely to establish wherever suitable host material is found and receives a High (3) 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: Planococcus minor feeds on more than 250 plants belonging to 66 families and receives a High (3) 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: Pacific mealybug can complete a generation in less than a month and each female lays between 206 and 270 eggs, indicating a high reproductive rate. Mealybugs 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. Planococcus minor 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: Planococcus minor may lower the value of nursery stock by disfiguring plants with its presence and sooty mold. It may also increase production costs for a wide variety of crops. Several of California’s trading partners list pacific mealybug as a harmful organism, so exports of fresh fruit including citrus and grapes may be disrupted. Pacific mealybug has been implicated in the transmission of virus diseases between plants¹. Furthermore, honeydew secreted by the mealybugs will attract ants, which may injure parasitic wasps, disrupting biological control programs for other pests. Planococcus minor receives a High (3) 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: Planococcus minor is not expected to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes. It may feed on threatened and endangered species such as Wiggins’ croton (Croton wigginsii) and small-leaved rose (Rosa minutifolia). The mealybugs are not likely to disrupt critical habitats. They may trigger new treatment programs in agriculture and by residents who find infested plants unsightly. Pacific mealybug feeds on a wide variety of popular ornamental plants and plants common in home/urban gardens. Planococcus minor receives a High (3) 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 Planococcus minor (Pacific Mealybug): High (15)**

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: Planococcus minor has never been found in 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: High (15)

Uncertainty:

Recent formal mealybug surveys in California have focused on Proteas and would have been unlikely to detect pacific mealybug. It is possible that the mealybug could be present in some localities.

Conclusion and Rating Justification:

Planococcus minor has never been found in California and is likely to have significant economic and environmental impacts if it were to establish in the state. An “A” rating is justified.

References:

¹ Francis, Antonio W., Moses T.K. Kairo, and Amy L. Roda. 2012. Passionvine mealybug, Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). University of Florida Extension. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN92000.pdf

²Miller, Dug, Yair Ben-Dov, Gary Gibson, and Nate Hardy. ScaleNet. http://scalenet.info/validname/Planococcus/minor

³ USDA 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.

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