Abstract
Cotton mealybug (Phenacoccussolenopsis) is a serious devastating pest which goes on a wide array of plant families. The pest spread all over the world from cool to dry hot regions. The main objective of this study was to investigate the food preference and behavior of P. solenopsis Tinseley (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) towards selected host plants in Khartoum State, Sudan, where a multi-choice experiment under laboratory conditions was adopted. Eight plant species were screened for attractiveness and food preference to Cotton mealybug. Where the proportions of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd nymphal instars and the adult females were recorded at 2, 8 and 24 hours after release, and compared with Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis) the control. The result revealed that the proportions of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd nymphal instars and adult females were maximum on plants of family Malvaceae, particularly the Okra (Hibiscus esculentus) followed by Cotton (Gossypium sp.) and Hambouk (Abutilon pannosum) as compared with the control. However, in contrast, the proportions were very low on unpalatable plants like Zaleya (Locally known as Raba) (Zaleyapentandra) and Eggplant (Solanum melongenaL.). However, in contrast, the proportions were very low on unpalatable plants like Zaleya (Locally known as Raba) (Zaleya pentandra) and Eggplant (SolanummelongenaL.). In conclusion, the most favorable host plants of the Cotton mealybug belonging to the family Malvaceae, while the families of Solanaceae [Egg plant (SolanummelongenaL.)] and Aizoaceae (Raba) were found to be the least preferred host plants.
Highlights
The mealybug which was not well known to many courtiers since, today it became very dangerous pest
This study revealed variation between the host plant species (P. solenopsis) and attractiveness
*Mean sharing similar letters did not differ significantly from each other at (1%) level of probability using least significant difference test (LSD) test
Summary
The mealybug which was not well known to many courtiers since, today it became very dangerous pest. Studies revealed that the pest attacks weeds throughout the year, and migrate to other crops through natural carriers (wind, water, bird and human being) It spread between continents through international trade [8]. One of the researcher reported that high population of mealybugs can cause serious losses to a wide range of crop plants through fruit, flower/leaf drop, fruit/flower deformation and development of discolored welts on the rind of the fruit, flower etc. He added that in the last 30 years, outbreaks of mealybugs caused alarming damage to crops in the United States of America (USA), New Zealand and France [9]
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