Journal of Economic Entomology (2022) 115, 1583-1591

Kristen C. Gaines, Lukasz L. Stelinski, Surendra Neupane and Lauren M. Diepenbrock (2022)
Detectability of hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Hemiptera: Pseudoccocidae), DNA in the mealybug destroyer, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and survey of its predators in Florida citrus groves
Journal of Economic Entomology 115 (5), 1583-1591
Abstract: The Hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), has recently established in Florida citrus and become a pest of concern given secondary pest outbreaks associated with management of citrus greening disease. Chemical controls used to manage other citrus arthropod pests are not as effective against N. viridis due to its waxy secretions, clumping behavior, and induced cellular changes to host plant tissue which increase microhabitats. Populations of this mealybug pest are regulated by natural enemies in its native region, but it remains unclear if resident natural enemies in Florida citrus could similarly suppress N. viridis populations. This investigation: 1) established species-specific primers for N. viridis based on the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome-oxidase 1 (COI), 2) determined duration of N. viridis DNA detectability in a known predator, the mealybug destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant), by using identified primers in molecular gut content analysis, and 3) screened field-collected predators for the presence of N. viridis DNA. The detection rate of N. viridis DNA was >50% at 36 h after adult C. montrouzieri feeding but DNA was no longer detectable by 72 h after feeding. Field-collected predators were largely comprised of spiders, lacewings, and C. montrouzieri. Spiders, beetles (primarily C. montrouzieri), and juvenile lacewings were the most abundant predators of N. viridis, with 17.8, 43.5, and 58.3 of field-collected samples testing positive for N. viridis DNA, respectively. Our results indicate that Florida citrus groves are hosts to abundant predators of N. viridis and encourage the incorporation of conservation or augmentative biological control for management of this pest.
(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): Lukasz Stelinski, Lauren M. Diepenbrock

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Nipaecoccus viridis	Citrus (genus)	U.S.A. (SE)
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (predator)	Nipaecoccus viridis	Citrus (genus)	U.S.A. (SE)