Planococcus citri

(Risso, 1813)

citrus mealybug

, the , is a highly pest native to Asia that has established worldwide through human-mediated transport. females are approximately 3 mm long, wingless, and covered in white wax with marginal filaments; males are slightly larger with functional wings. The reproduces sexually with multiple per year, producing ovisacs containing up to 20 . It feeds on phloem sap from over 200 plant species across 82 , causing direct damage through sap removal and indirect damage via honeydew secretion and growth. It is also a known of Cacao swollen shoot virus. The species is difficult to distinguish morphologically from the vine mealybug (Planococcus ficus), requiring microscopic examination of pore and duct arrangements or molecular methods for accurate identification.

Planococcus citri by (c) Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Planococcus citri by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Near Citrus Mealy Bug Planococcus citri (30938490397) by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Planococcus citri: /plæˈnoʊkəs ˈsiːtraɪ/

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

Identification

From Planococcus ficus (vine mealybug): requires microscopic examination of arrangement of pores and tubular ducts on female body; molecular analysis recommended for confirmation when is planned. From other mealybugs: combination of body coloration, presence of gray line, marginal wax filament arrangement, and association. Slide-mounting of females is standard for definitive identification; field identification unreliable without microscopic examination.

Images

Habitat

Occurs in citrus orchards, vineyards, greenhouses, and ornamental plantings; thrives in warm, humid conditions; established in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions where it survives under glass at higher latitudes; stable year-round in greenhouse environments with constant conditions.

Distribution

Native to Asia; introduced and established in Europe (including Mediterranean region, UK, Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira), Africa (widespread including Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa), North America (USA: California, Florida, Hawaii, Texas and others; Mexico), Central America and Caribbean, South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and others), and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands including Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga). Present in greenhouses in higher latitude temperate regions.

Seasonality

Most abundant in spring and summer with fluctuating according to temperature and availability; peak abundance in early summer in Florida citrus; multiple overlapping per year in favorable climates; continuous in greenhouse environments.

Diet

Phloem sap feeder using ; feeds on over 200 plant in 82 including Citrus, Theobroma cacao, Vitis, Solanum lycopersicum, and numerous ornamental and wild plants; shows preference for grapefruit among citrus varieties.

Host Associations

Citrus spp. - primary preferred , especially grapefruit
Theobroma cacao - of Cacao swollen shoot virus
Vitis spp. - less frequently attacked than by Planococcus ficus
Solanum lycopersicum - serious pest in glasshouse tomatoes
Coffea spp. - coffee root mealybug designation in some contexts

Life Cycle

deposited in waxy ovisacs; first instar nymphs () disperse actively; female nymphs progress through multiple instars to wingless ; male nymphs progress through fewer instars with pre-pupal stage, construct cottony cocoon for , and emerge as winged adults; adult males live fewer than three days, do not feed, and seek females for mating; adult females live several weeks, feeding continuously and producing eggs; multiple per year with overlapping cohorts.

Behavior

are active and gregarious, dispersing to find feeding sites; females sedentary after settling, feeding and reproducing in clusters; males exhibit short lifespan focused entirely on mate location and copulation; has been observed engaging in 'triple coitus' where one female copulates with two males simultaneously with a third attempting to join; secretes honeydew continuously while feeding; waxy secretions provide protection from desiccation and some .

Ecological Role

Herbivore that reduces plant vigor through phloem sap removal; honeydew secretion supports mutualisms and growth; serves as prey for diverse natural enemies including , predatory beetles, and lacewings; of plant including Cacao swollen shoot virus.

Human Relevance

Major agricultural pest of citrus, glasshouse tomatoes, and ornamentals; causes direct damage through feeding and indirect damage via honeydew and ; reduces crop quality and marketability; increases production costs through management requirements; subject to regulations due to cryptic habits making detection difficult; managed through , cultural practices, and limited chemical options.

Similar Taxa

Planococcus ficusExtremely similar ; distinguished by microscopic examination of pore and duct arrangement on female body; molecular analysis recommended for confirmation; P. ficus more commonly associated with grapevines and transmits grapevine leafroll and corky-bark
Planococcus minorCryptic with overlapping range; distinguished by morphological and molecular characters; in Florida since 2010
Nipaecoccus viridisSimilar mealybug pest of citrus and ornamentals; distinguished by green reaction to 10% KOH or 5% NaOH (unique to N. viridis among Florida mealybugs)

More Details

Endosymbiosis

Possesses nested endosymbiotic bacteria: Tremblaya princeps (betaproteobacterium) resides in bacteriocytes, and contains its own endosymbiont Moranella endobia (gammaproteobacterium); T. princeps has the smallest known bacterial at approximately 139 kilo- with ~120 genes, having lost most metabolic functions and relying entirely on M. endobia for energy and

Insecticide Resistance

Has developed resistance to some including chlorpyrifos; resistance documented in Tunisia and concerns in California due to similar climate; wax coating provides behavioral resistance by limiting contact with chemicals

Biological Control

Key include Leptomastidea abnormis, Leptomastix dactylopii, Anagyrus pseudococci, and Chrysoplatycerus splendens; include Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (mealybug destroyer), green lacewings (Chrysopa lateralis), and brown lacewings (Sympherobius barberi); commercially available for male trapping and monitoring