International Journal of Pest Management (2016) 62, 119-128

Nomakholwa F. Stokwe and Antoinette P. Malan (2016)
Susceptibility of the obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Pseudococcidae), to South African isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes
International Journal of Pest Management 62 (2), 119-128
Abstract: Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), the obscure mealybug, is a serious pest of apples and pears in South Africa. The potential use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against P. viburni was assessed in laboratory bioassays. The results showed Heterorhabditis zealandica (J34) to be most effective, causing 80% mortality of P. viburni 48-h post inoculation at 25 ºC. After 48 h, the LD₅₀ and LD₉₀ values were 54 and 336 nematodes, respectively. H. zealandica (J34) and Steinernema yirgalemense successfully reproduced in P. viburni, with H. zealandica (J34) attaining greater penetration ability than did the S. yirgalemense. Mealybug size affected infectivity, with the crawlers being less susceptible (22%) than were the adults and intermediates, with mortalities of 78% and 76%, respectively. H. zealandica (J34) were able to enter the apple core of infested apples, where they infected the P. viburni. This work represents the first report on using EPNs to control P. viburni.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Antoinette P. Malan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pseudococcus viburni	Apple (Malus)	South Africa
Heterorhabditis zealandica (entomopathogen)	Pseudococcus viburni	Apple (Malus)	South Africa
Steinernema yirgalemense (entomopathogen)	Pseudococcus viburni		South Africa