Dysmicoccus

Ferris, 1950

mealybugs

Species Guides

1

Dysmicoccus is a of mealybugs in the Pseudococcidae containing at least 110 described . These soft-bodied scale insects are characterized by white, powdery wax secretions covering their bodies. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of pineapple, sugarcane, and other tropical crops. Some species plant , including pineapple wilt. The genus has a pantropical distribution with several species introduced to Florida and other regions as pests.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dysmicoccus: //dɪsmaɪˈkɒkəs//

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Distribution

Pantropical distribution with records from North America, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and Pacific Islands. Several including D. brevipes, D. boninsis, and D. neobrevipes have wide geographic ranges. D. mcdanieli was introduced to Florida in 2010.

Host Associations

  • Pineapple - pestD. brevipes and D. neobrevipes are major pests
  • Sugarcane - pestD. boninsis known as grey sugarcane mealybug
  • Banana - pestD. neobrevipes feeds principally on Musa × paradisiaca
  • Rice - pest for D. boninsis
  • Coffee - pestD. brevipes plant
  • Palms - pestMultiple Dysmicoccus
  • Loblolly pine - pestD. obesus specific to Pinus taeda
  • Virginia pine - pestD. obesus also recorded on P. virginiana
  • White mangrove - pestD. brevipes recently documented on Laguncularia racemosa in Peru

Human Relevance

Several Dysmicoccus are economically important agricultural pests. D. brevipes (pineapple mealybug) and D. neobrevipes (grey pineapple mealybug) cause direct damage by feeding on plant phloem and indirect damage through honeydew secretion leading to . They are of pineapple wilt and green spot. D. boninsis damages sugarcane and rice. The has been targeted for using fungi such as bassiana. Rapid identification is critical for management, as mealybugs develop resistance and have protective waxy coverings that reduce chemical efficacy.

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