Florida Entomologist (2017) 100, 168-171

Mauricio José Fornazier, David dos Santos Martins, Carlos Alberto Spaggiari Souza, Mark Paul Culik, João Marcos Augusto Chipolesch, Débora Lorenção Fornazier, Paulo Sérgio Fiuza Ferreira and José Cola Zanuncio (2017)
Invasion of the main cocoa-producing region of South America by Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
Florida Entomologist 100 (1), 168-171
Abstract: Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was first detected in Brazil in 2010, and this study documents the recent range expansion into the major cocoa producing regions of Espírito Santo and Bahia, Brazil. We describe the signs of M. hirsutus infestation and damage to cocoa plants. Infestation of cocoa by adult females with nymphs and egg masses was observed, particularly on new flushes of growth and on fruits, and is a major threat to one of the largest cocoa producing areas of the world. The predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was associated with M. hirsutus, but no parasitoids were observed. Maconellicoccus hirsutus is now established and widespread on cocoa in southeastern Brazil and spreading to producing regions of Bahia.
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Database assignments for author(s): José Cola Zanuncio

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Maconellicoccus hirsutus	Cacao (Theobroma cacao)	Brazil (south)
	Maconellicoccus hirsutus	Cacao (Theobroma cacao)	Brazil (NE)