Abstract
Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are pests constraining the international trade of Brazilian table grapes. They damage grapes by transmitting viruses and toxins, causing defoliation, chlorosis, and vigor losses and favoring the development of sooty mold. Difficulties in mealybug identification remain an obstacle to the adequate management of these pests. In this study, our primary aim was to identify the principal mealybug species infesting the major table grape-producing regions in Brazil, by morphological and molecular characterization. Our secondary aim was to develop a rapid identification kit based on species-specific Polymerase Chain Reactions, to facilitate the routine identification of the most common pest species. We surveyed 40 sites infested with mealybugs and identified 17 species: Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Dysmicoccus sylvarum Williams and Granara de Willink, Dysmicoccus texensis (Tinsley), Ferrisia cristinae Kaydan and Gullan, Ferrisia meridionalis Williams, Ferrisia terani Williams and Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus baccharidis Williams, Phenacoccus parvus Morrison, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Planococcus citri (Risso), Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel, four taxa closely related each of to Pseudococcus viburni, Pseudococcus sociabilis Hambleton, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) and Pseudococcus meridionalis Prado, and one specimen from the genus Pseudococcus Westwood. The PCR method developed effectively identified five mealybug species of economic interest on grape in Brazil: D. brevipes, Pl. citri, Ps. viburni, Ph. solenopsis and Planococcus ficus (Signoret). Nevertheless, it is not possible to assure that this procedure is reliable for taxa that have not been sampled already and might be very closely related to the target species.
Highlights
Grapevines cover an area of approximately 82,000 hectares in Brazil, with an annual yield ranging from 1,300,000 to 1,450,000 t [1]
57% of grape production is destined for consumption as table grapes and 43% is used for juice and wine production [1], [2]
Brazilian production levels increased in recent decades, largely due to expansion of the export of table grapes, mostly produced in the northern regions of Brazil, especially the Sao Francisco Valley, which is responsible for producing 90% of the grapes exported from Brazil [2], [4]
Summary
Grapevines cover an area of approximately 82,000 hectares in Brazil, with an annual yield ranging from 1,300,000 to 1,450,000 t [1]. The cultivation of this crop has expanded throughout Brazil, with Rio Grande do Sul state producing the largest amounts, followed by Pernambuco, Sao Paulo and Parana. Brazilian production levels increased in recent decades, largely due to expansion of the export of table grapes, mostly produced in the northern regions of Brazil, especially the Sao Francisco Valley, which is responsible for producing 90% of the grapes exported from Brazil [2], [4]. In addition to all these other types of damage, mealybugs reduce the marketability of table grapes by excreting honeydew, which promotes the development of sooty mold on fruits
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
