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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #261610
Title: Systematic revision of the mealybug genus Delottococcus Cox & Ben-Dov (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Author
item MILLER, D. - Retired ARS Employee
item GILIOMEE, J. - University Of Stellenbosch

Submitted to: African Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2011
Publication Date: 11/10/2011
Citation: Miller, D.R., Giliomee, J.H. 2011. Systematic revision of the mealybug genus Delottococcus Cox & Ben-Dov (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). African Entomology. 19(3):614-640.

Interpretive Summary: Mealybugs include many serious pests particularly of fruit trees, grapes, ornamental plants, and indoor house plants. This paper provides information on a genus of mealybug that is native to South Africa and encompasses invasive species now found in California, Hawaii, France, Italy, and Spain. Of the 9 species in the genus, 3 are invasive outside of South Africa and are pests on such diverse hosts as citrus, cacti, geraniums, cut flowers, and ornamental trees. Before this research was undertaken it was nearly impossible to identify specimens to species, but this paper provides definitive tools that will facilitate identification. This information will benefit all who are interested in pest exclusion and pest management of mealybugs including homeowners, nurserymen, quarantine specialists, extension agents, and state and university researchers.

Technical Abstract: A systematic revision of the mealybug genus Delottococcus Cox & Ben-Dov is presented. Nine species are treated, including D. millari which is described as new. The 8 previously described species are: Delottococcus aberiae (De Lotto), D. confusus (De Lotto), D. elisabethae (Brain), D. euphorbiae (Ezzat & McConnell), D. phylicus (De Lotto), D. proteae (Hall), D. quaesitus (Brain), and D. trichiliae (Brain). Adult females of all species are described and illustrated and a key for their identification is presented. In the past, specimens determined as D. elisabethae have been recorded from citrus and other hosts, but these appear to be misidentifications of D. aberiae. Delottococcus elisabethae is only known from the original collection. As invasive species, D. confusus is reported from California and Hawaii, D. aberiae from Spain, and D. euphorbiae from France, Italy, and Sicily.