Florida Entomologist (2000) 83, 97-101
J.P. Michaud and G.A. Evans (2000)
Current status of pink hibiscus mealybug in Puerto Rico including a key to parasitoid species
Florida Entomologist 83 (1), 97-101
Abstract: The invasion of Puerto Rico by PHMB has had much less economic impact than in other islands of the Caribbean such as Grenada and Trinidad (Francois, 1996). This may be due to the timely introduction of A. kamali and G. indica which demonstrate high levels of association with PHMB, although various coccinellid species may also reduce its rate of spread. It is now 18 months since the detection of PHMB in Puerto Rico and the pest has moved only 37 km to the southwest (Yabucoa) and 35 km to the northwest (Carolinas) of its point of entry (Ceiba); more than 70% of the island remains unaffected as yet. Only hibiscus has been attacked and while a large percentage of plants have sustained damage, ca. 80% of affected shrubs in the original infestations no longer support live PHMB populations.
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Database assignments for author(s): J.P. Michaud
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
review
identification/taxonomy
