First Report of the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), in South Carolina

Abstract

This paper reports the first detection of pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), in South Carolina. The first observation of M. hirsutus was a small isolated infestation of three potted hibiscus plants, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae), about 60 cm in height. The infestation was detected by the author in September 2009 at a residential property in Little River, Horry County, SC. The author was alerted by the homeowner’s inquiries about mealybug control on tropical hibiscus. The infested terminals and leaves were distorted and showed the characteristic ‘bunchy-top’ deformation as described by Kairo et al. (2000). Numerous secondand third-instar nymphs and young adult females were harbored within the deformed terminals. No ovipositing female mealybugs were observed, suggesting that the infestation was in its initial stage of establishment. No sign of parasitism or predation was observed. Samples were collected from the infested plants and specimens were identified as M. hirsutus by the author based on morphological characteristics (Miller 1999, 2005). The identification was subsequently confirmed by Glenn D. Landau (USDA-APHIS, Columbia, SC) and Gregory A. Evans (USDA-APHIS, Beltsville, MD). Voucher specimens are deposited at the Clemson University Arthropod Collection and with USDA-APHIS (Beltsville, MD). The infested plants were destroyed by a plant health inspector from Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI) the day after the initial detection. The infested plants were purchased by the homeowner at a local home improvement store about one month before the detection. Trace-back conducted by DPI determined that the infested plants originated from a nursery in Homestead, FL. The infestation at Little River is being eradicated (NAPIS 2010). The detection of M. hirsutus in SC may have significant economic implications for the agriculture in the state. To date, no quarantine or other regulatory activities against M. hirsutus have been imposed by DPI and USDA-APHIS in SC.