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Title: DYSMICOCCUS AND SIMILAR GENERA (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA; PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) OF THE GULF STATE REGION INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES AND NEW NORTH AMERICAN RECORDS

Author
item Miller, Gary
item Miller, Douglass

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/21/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Mealybugs are agricultural pests that feed on agriculturally important crops, trees, and ornamental plants causing millions of dollars of damage each year. It is important to know the correct identity of pest species before any control measures can be taken. This paper provides keys for Dysmicoccus, Oracella, and Paradoxococcus of the Gulf State Region. In addition, one species new to science is described, another species is synonomized, and new distribution records in the continental U.S. for two other species are provided. This work provides a means for determining mealybug species from other species in the same genus and other closely related genera that are found in the Gulf State Region of the U.S. This paper will be helpful for port identifiers, agriculturalists, and extension workers for identifying species of Dysmicoccus, Oracella, and Paradoxococcus.

Technical Abstract: A key to 14 species of Dysmicoccus, Oracella, and Paradoxococcus of the Gulf State region is presented. A detailed new species description for Dysmicoccus radinovskyi Miller & Miller is given along with descriptions and illustrations for the adult female, third-instar female, and second-instar female. Dysmicoccus merrilli (Ferris) is designated a junior, subjective synonym of Dysmicoccus boninsis (Kuwana). Dysmicoccus mackenziei Beardsley and Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley represent new distribution records in the continental United States.