Planococcus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Planococcus: //ˌplæn.oʊˈkɑk.əs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Summary

Planococcus citri, or the citrus mealybug, is a significant agricultural pest known for its sap-sucking habits on a multitude of host plants. Its complex life cycle, including unique reproductive behaviors and symbiotic relationships with bacteria, marks it as a critical species in pest management research.

Physical Characteristics

Adult females are about 3 mm long, with white, brownish, or pink bodies covered in white wax and lined with waxy filaments. Males are slightly larger with functional wings and long wax filaments.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from similar species like Planococcus ficus mainly by the arrangement of pores and tubular ducts on the female's body. Molecular analysis is recommended for accurate species identification due to their similarities.

Habitat

Commonly found on various flowering plants, especially in orchards and greenhouses.

Distribution

Native to Asia but introduced worldwide, including Europe, Americas, and Oceania.

Diet

Sucks sap from a wide range of host plants, including citrus and ornamental species.

Life Cycle

The life cycle involves egg-laying by females, nymph stages, and a pupation process for males. Development is influenced by temperature, with multiple generations occurring per year.

Reproduction

Sexually dimorphic; females engage in 'triple coitus' with males, producing around 20 eggs per ovisac.

Predators

Includes parasitoid wasps (e.g., Leptomastidea abnormis) and predatory insects like ladybird beetles (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) and green lacewings.

Conservation Status

Not applicable.

Ecosystem Role

Functions as both a pest and a vector for plant viruses, impacting agricultural ecosystems.

Economic Impact

Significant pest on citrus and ornamental plants, leading to reduced crop yields and challenges in agriculture.

Collecting Methods

• Hand collection
• Sticky traps baited with sex pheromones
• Sweep nets

Preservation Methods

• Ethanol samples
• Freezing specimens
• Pinned specimens

Evolution

Mealybugs have a complex evolutionary relationship with their endosymbionts, including unique nested endosymbiosis configurations.

Similar Taxa

• Planococcus ficus
• Nasuia deltocephalinicola

Misconceptions

Some may confuse the citrus mealybug with the vine mealybug due to morphological similarities.

Tags

• mealybug
• Planococcus
• agricultural pest
• citrus pest
• hemiptera