Mealybug Species Research Articles

Interaction between mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and coffee plants

Mealybugs, Planococcus citri (Risso) and Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are able to colonize several plants, among them, coffee (Coffea spp.), where may impair the production of this crop. Despite this diversity of colonizing plants, frequent outbreaks of these mealybugs have been found in certain plants. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that P. citri and P. minor show a better performance, i.e., greater longevity and higher reproductive rate, as well as higher survival in a given coffee species. We studied in the laboratory the food preference of these mealybugs through a free choice test and their development and reproduction in Coffea arabica L. cv. Mundo Novo-IAC–379-19 and Coffea canephora (Pierre & Froenher) cv. Conilon 213. The responsiveness of these insects to the volatiles emitted by these coffee plants was analyzed using an olfactometer. The data showed that mealybugs preferred Conilon coffee plants over the Mundo Novo and, despite completing their development in these two coffee species, most of the biological evaluated parameters were affected by the host species. In the olfactometer assays, the volatiles emitted by the coffee plants cv. Mundo Novo and Conilon were equally attractive to these mealybugs. It is concluded that, although there is no discrimination of odors between coffee plants, Mundo Novo and Conilon, both species of mealybugs show food preference for Conilon, having their development and reproduction favored in these plants. Key words: Coffea spp.; Food preference; Olfactory responses; Performance; White mealybug.

Two new scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Acanthococcidae and Pseudococcidae) and a new country record from protected areas in Iran.

A new mealybug species, Phenacoccus poae sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) and a new felt scale species, Rhizococcus asperulae sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Acanthococcidae) are described and illustrated based on adult females; both were collected from Iran, Markazi province, Arak, Haftad-Gholleh Protected Area. A new country record of Rhizococcus istresianus Goux, 1989 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Acanthococcidae) from Kermanshah province, Eslamabad -e Gharb, Ghallajeh Protected Area, is illustrated and some of its morphological variations are discussed. Identification keys to the Iranian species of Phenacoccus and Rhizococcus are provided.

Combinatory effect of ethyl formate and phosphine fumigation on Pseudococcus longispinus and P. orchidicola (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) mortality and phytotoxicity to 13 foliage nursery plants

Abstract Combinatory effect of ethyl formate (EF) and phosphine (PH3) fumigation against Pseudococcus longispinus and P. orchidicola was evaluated on 13 foliage nursery plants. Treatment with the combination of EF at 16 mg/L and PH3 at 0.1 mg/L for 4 h resulted in 100% fumigant activity against both adults and nymphs of P. longispinus and P. orchidicola in a 12 L desiccator. The combination treatment showed higher efficacy towards adults than towards nymphs for both mealybug species, although it was reversed for P. orchidicola when EF was treated alone. The combination treatment showed higher fumigant activity than the single EF or PH3 treatment. In larger fumigation chambers (0.65 m3 and 10 m3), 100% fumigant activity was observed with the combination of EF at 20 g/m3 and PH3 at 1 g/m3 against both mealybug species regardless of location inside chambers. The highest sorption rates for each fumigant were 24.4% for PH3-treated Hoya carnosa and 75.4% for EF-treated Philodendron selloum. Except P. selloum, all other species tested exhibited significant leaf damage one week after the combination treatment. Two species, Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg' and Heteropanax fragrans showed 100% leaf damage and died 5 months later without any new leaf formation. However, other 10 species were able to recover the treatment damage after 5 months. Treatment of these two plants with EF seems unfeasible. This study suggests that the combination of EF and PH3 can be used for controlling P. longispinus and P. orchidicola in some foliage nursery plants.

Pollinia pollini (Costa, 1857) (Hemiptera, Asterolecaniidae) infesting olive trees: a first record in Tunisia

During January 2019, mealybugs were observed on branches of olive trees (Olea europaea, L.) for the first time at Nebeur and Charket Saboune (Governorate‐Kef, Tunisia). Samples were collected and brought to the laboratory for identification. The mealybug species was identified based on its morphological characteristics as Pollinia pollini (Costa, 1857) (Hemiptera, Asterolecanidae). This is the first report of this species in Tunisia.

Inventory and abundance of mealybug species in immature and mature cocoa farms in Côte d'Ivoire

AbstractFrom 2013 to 2018, surveys were conducted in counties not previously surveyed in order to determine species of mealybugs present in the cocoa orchard in Côte d'Ivoire as well as their abundance according to the age of cocoa trees. Immature and mature cocoa trees were inspected to hand‐height in 5 and 29 counties infected with Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV). In each cocoa farm, mealybugs were searched for on fruits, leaves, flowers, twigs and trunks. Mealybug species were identified, and colonies were counted. Five mealybug species were identified on immature cocoa trees: Ferrisia virgata, Formicococcus njalensis, Planococcus citri, Planococcus kenyae and Pseudococcus longispinus. In addition to these species, four species, Dysmicoccus brevipes, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Phenacoccus hargreavesi and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi were identified on mature cocoa trees. On immature cocoa trees, Fo. Njalensis, Pl. citri and Ps. longispinus comprised were, respectively, 35%, 33% and 19% of colonies, respectively. On mature cocoa trees, Fo. Njalensis and Pl. citri comprised 63.2% and 21.0%, and others species 15.8%. Nevertheless, the abundance of mealybug species varied according to the age of cocoa trees. The preferred organs of mealybugs were pods (74.1%) followed by twigs (13.4%) and flowers (7.4%). Previously, the mealybug Paracoccus burnerae (Brain) was found on Theobroma cacao, which is the first record for this species in Côte d'Ivoire and on this host‐plant.

Bacterial volatiles from mealybug honeydew exhibit kairomonal activity toward solitary endoparasitoid Anagyrus dactylopii

Anagyrus dactylopii (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a solitary koinobiont endoparasitoid of grapevine mealybugs and has been reported to parasitize 70% of mealybug populations naturally. In the present study, we have isolated and identified by employing a 16S rRNA technique, a total of ten cultivable bacteria from the honeydew of two species of grapevine mealybugs, Maconellicoccus hirsutus and Nipaecoccus viridis. In the honeydew of M. hirsutus, seven bacteria were found, which included Micrococcus luteus, Kocuria rosea, Bacillus aquimaris, Exiguobacterium aquaticum, Staphylococcus pasteuri, Bacillus oceanisediminis and Bacillus flexus. From the honeydew of N. viridis, three bacteria, viz. Bacillus firmus, Microbacterium testaceum and Pesudomonas oryzihabitans, could be recovered. Further, we have collected the headspace from 72 h active cultures of these honeydew-associated bacteria by sorption over adsorbent trap made up of 0.2 g porapak using dynamic headspace sampling technique with pull and push system and tested the behavioral responses of mated females of A. dactylopii to these volatiles in a Y-tube olfactometer. The mated females positively responded to volatiles from five bacteria, which included only two bacteria associated with the honeydew of M. hirsutus, i.e., K. rosea, and S. pasteuri and all the three bacteria from honeydew of N. viridis. This indicates an ability of A. dactylopii to exploit cues associated with the mealybug honeydew for host location. The GC–MS analysis of bacterial headspace revealed six volatile organic compounds (VOCs), viz. propanoic acid, 2-methyl-2,2-dimethyl-1-(2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl) propyl ester; tetradecane; dodecane; 10-heptadecen-8-ynoic acid, methyl ester; 10,13-octadecadiynoic acid, methyl ester and limonen-6-ol, pivalate. Interestingly, limonen-6-ol, pivalate has been found as a common constituent of volatiles from all the three bacteria that were isolated from honeydew of N. viridis. The possible exploitation of bacterial VOCs in enhancing populations of A. dactylopii and promoting conservation biological control of mealybugs in grape vineyards is discussed.

Additions to the Scale Insect Fauna (Homoptera, Coccinea) of Kazakhstan

Seyneria oligocerariferasp. n. and Trionymus sengirkumensissp. n. (Pseudococcidae) are described based on the material collected in Mangystau and Atyrau provinces of Kazakhstan. Five other species of mealybugs and one species of armored scale insects (Diaspididae) are recorded for the first time for Kazakhstan. Color photographs of all the reported species taken under the natural conditions are provided.

Life table parameters of cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, 1898 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on four different plants

Cotton mealybug is one of the most widespread invasive mealybug species and cause economically important damages on vegetables, ornamentals and other agricultural crops. This study focused on the determination life table parameters of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on four different host plants (eggplant, cotton, tomato, and pepper). According to results of this study, eggplant was determined as the most suitable host plants during this study. The highest values of life table parameters were obtained from eggplant (R 0 =184.36 nymphs/female, r=0.269 d -1 , λ=1.309 d -1 , GRR=264.18 nymphs/female).

Development of sensitive molecular assays for the detection of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 in an insect vector.

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is an economically significant virus of grapevines, with secondary spread mediated by several species of mealybug and soft scale insects. To better understand virus-vector interactions, sensitive virus detection in these insects is a key tool. In this research, two new hydrolysis-probe-based real-time assays for GLRaV-3 detection were developed and compared to three existing assays. Of the five assays compared, the one-step RT-qPCR probe-based assay was the most sensitive and reliable, with as few as 10 virus RNA copies detected. This is the first description of a real-time molecular assay for virus detection in mealybugs with such sensitivity.

Biodiversity of mealybugs, their host range and bio-control agents associated in different districts of Chhattisgarh plains

The survey of host range of mealybugs in five districts of Chhattisgarh plain regions namely Rajnandgaon, Balod, Dhamtari, Mahasamund and Raipur districts in which 132 plant species were observed. Among these, 72 plant species belonging to 28 families were identified as hosts out of which two species were of pulses (2.78%), one oilseed (1.39%), ten vegetables (13.89%), twelve fruits (16.67%), one fibre (1.39%), one sugarcane crop (1.39%), nineteen ornamentals (26.39%), fifteen medicinal (20.83%), two forest trees (2.78%) and nine plants under weeds (12.50%). The highest number of host plants of mealybugs were recorded in the family Malvaceae and Asteraceae followed by Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae and Lamiaceae. Among 72 plant species, 36 species of host plants were found having low infestation, 12 species had medium infestation and 24 plant species were observed to be highly infested by mealybugs. A total of eight mealybug species namely Ferrisia virgata Cockerell, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green, Nipaecoccus viridis Newstead, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Rastrococcus iceryoides Green and seven species of their natural enemies i.e., Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Brumoides suturalis, Scymnus sp., Chrysoperla sp., spiders as a general predator and Aenasius sp. and Pseudleptomastix mexicana as parasitoid were observed during the present studies. Among the Mealybugs species, P. solenopsis Tinsley was noticed as the most dominant species which observed on 14 species of different host plants infested with maximum 46.66 percent.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Phytotoxicity of Phosphine and Ethyl Formate for Controlling Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Pseudococcus orchidicola on Imported Foliage Nursery Plants.

The fumigation activity of phosphine (PH3) and ethyl formate (EF) and their phytotoxicity to 13 imported foliage nursery plant species were evaluated. The lethal concentration and time (LCT99) values of the PH3 indicated that the susceptibility of the nymphs (3.95 and <0.45 mg·h/liter, respectively) was higher than that of the adults (5.29 and 3.66 mg·h/liter, respectively) of two mealybugs [Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) and P. orchidicola Takahashi]. The highest concentration reduction rate of PH3 and EF on the 13 foliage nursery plants in the 12-liter desiccator was 41.5% for Heteropanax fragrans and 71.7% for Schefflera arboricola, respectively, which indicates that PH3 has a lower sorption rate than EF. The phytotoxicities of PH3-treated foliage nursery plants did not significantly differ from those of the nontreated plants, but EF caused phytotoxicity in 11 foliage nursery plants a week after treatment. When the exposure time of PH3 increased to 24 h, the adults and nymphs of both mealybug species showed 100% mortality in the 0.5 m3 fumigation chamber. In the 10 m3 fumigation container used in the field, there was 100% mortality of both mealybugs after treatment with 2 g/m3 PH3 for 24 h at 16°C. These results indicate that EF is not a suitable mealybug fumigant due to its high sorption and phytotoxicity to foliage nursery plants, despite fumigation activity against the two species. However, PH3 seems to be suitable for mealybug fumigation in foliage nursery plants and can be used as a substitute for methyl bromide.

Mealybug species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) on soursop and sugar apple (Annonaceae) in North-East Brazil, with description of a new species of Pseudococcus Westwood.

Several species of Annonaceae are economically important fruit-tree crops in North-East Brazil, including Pernambuco state. However, in several regions within the state, the fruits are commonly infested by mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae). There is a lack of information about the mealybug species damaging this produce, so a survey of mealybug species associated with commercial sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) and soursop (A. muricata L.) was conducted in the main production areas. The species Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), Planococcus minor (Maskell), Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel Miller were found on both Annona species. Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Ferrisia dayslirii Kaydan Gullan and Ferrisia malvastra (MacDaniel) were found only on soursop; and Ferrisia cristinae Kaydan Gullan, Planococcus citri (Risso), Pseudococcus annonae sp. n. Pacheco da Silva Kaydan and Pseudococcus sp. were found only on sugar apple. The species F. cristinae, F. dasylirii, F. malvastra and Ph. solenopsis are recorded infesting these hosts for the first time. The most abundant mealybug species found were F. virgata, Pl. minor, Ps. jackbeardsleyi and M. hirsutus, often forming heavy infestations and damaging the fruits. A new species, Pseudococcus annonae sp. n. Pacheco da Silva Kaydan, is described and illustrated, and an identification key to the mealybug genera occurring on annonaceous species in the Neotropical region is also provided.

Species-specific COI primers for rapid identification of a globally significant invasive pest, the cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero

The globally invasive cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero is a pernicious pest of cassava, and its recent introduction into Asia has raised considerable alarm. To slow or prevent further invasion, an accurate, simple, and developmental-stage-independent detection method for P. manihoti is required. In the present study, a PCR method based on a species-specific mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (SS-COI) marker was developed for rapid identification of P. manihoti. One pair of SS-COI primers (PMSSZW-1F and PMSSZW-1R) was designed based on sequence variations in the COI gene among P. manihoti and related mealybug species. Specificity of the primer pair was validated on 21 closely related species. Sensitivity tests were performed on four immature developmental stages and female adults. Efficacy tests demonstrated that at the relatively low concentration of (135.2±14.7) pg μL−1 resuspended DNA, the specific fragment was detected in all replicates. Furthermore, the SS-COI primer pair was assayed on three populations of P. manihoti from major exporting countries of cassava. The PCR assay was proved to be a rapid, simple, and reliable molecular measure for the identification of P. manihoti. This tool will be useful for quarantine, monitoring, and management of this invasive pest.

Managing the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus, through pheromone-mediated mating disruption.

The vine mealybug (VMB), Planococcus ficus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a key insect pest of vineyards. While pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) has been successfully tested against a wide range of insect pests, knowledge about its efficacy against key mealybug species, such as P. ficus, is scarce. In this study, a novel MD product, Isonet® PF, was evaluated by testing 300, 400, and 500 dispensers/ha at four study sites located in Northern (Veneto) and Southern (Sicily) Italy. Experiments were carried out over 2years by monitoring the mealybug populations in wine grape and table grape vineyards managed with and without the application of MD. Pheromone dispensers were periodically collected during the grapevine-growing season, extracted, and analyzed by GC-MS, to determine their pheromone content and the release in mg/ha/day. The results showed that use of the MD dispenser Isonet® PF reduced the percentage of VMB-infested bunches and the number of VMB specimens per bunch compared with the untreated controls. This was recorded over 2years at all experimental sites. Differences in the incidence of infested bunches among the three tested rates of Isonet® PF were not detected. Overall, the results presented here contribute to optimizing the sex pheromone dosage used in MD control programs against VMB allowing a reduction of broad-spectrum insecticides currently employed to manage this important pest.

A revision of the mealybug genus Scaptococcus McKenzie (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), with descriptions of the adult male and female of Scaptococcus occultans sp. n. from the southwestern United States, and the male of S. milleri McKenzie.

The adult female and male of Scaptococcus occultans sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), a new mealybug species from the southwestern United States, are described and illustrated, as well as the male of S. milleri McKenzie. Females of the new species can be recognized by their unmodified prothoracic legs, anal ring with two rows of cellular pores, and presence of a circulus; the adult female is further characterized by the presence of bands across the thoracic and abdominal segments containing numerous dorsal modified oral collar tubular ducts (with the inner half of the outer duct sclerotized), quinquelocular pores and multilocular pores. The adult male of the new species differs from that of S. milleri by having unmodified prothoracic femora, small spine-like prothoracic claw denticles, fewer dorsal and ventral setae on abdominal segments II-V, and no sclerotized abdominal tergites laterally on the abdomen. The generic description of Scaptococcus is revised to include the new species, and an updated key to the adult females, diagnostic notes for the female nymphal instars, and updated distribution and host data for all the three species are provided.

A Survey of Virginia Vineyards Revealed High Incidences of Grapevine Rupestris Stem Pitting-Associated Virus, Grapevine Red Blotch Virus, and Two Mealybug Species

We investigated the prevalence of viruses infecting grapevines in Virginia, identity of disease vectors, and potential factors affecting virus incidence. Tested viruses were grapevine leafroll-associated virus (GLRaV-1 and -4), grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), grapevine virus A (GVA), grapevine virus B (GVB), grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV), tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV), grapevine vein clearing virus (GVCV), grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), and grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV). We documented wide distributions of GRSPaV (54%) and GRBV (24%) and common occurrences of grape (Pseudococcus maritimus) and Gill’s (Ferrisia gilli) mealybugs among vineyards. This is the first report of GLRaV-1, GLRaV-4, GVA, GVB, GRSPaV, and obscure mealybug (Pseudococcus viburni) in Virginia. We also documented significant association (P ≤ 0.05) of the presence of mealybugs and GVA and GVB. With younger vines, significantly lower incidences were found for viruses that were listed (i.e., tested for a certification) by the Foundation Planting Service’s and the National Clean Plant Network’s grape programs. On the other hand, there was a lack of the age effect on incidence of GRSPaV and GRBV, which were not listed until recently. These results suggest the importance of clean plant material and vector management for grapevine virus disease management in Virginia.

Nuevos pseudocóccidos (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) y sus hospedantes para la provincia de Sancti Spíritus, Cuba

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo informar sobre los nuevos pseudocóccidos y sus hospedantes para la provincia de Sancti Spíritus (Cuba) durante el período 2005-2015. En estos diez años se informaron 10 géneros y 21 especies de pseudocóccidos (16 nuevos informes) en los ecosistemas atendidos por la Estación Territorial de Protección de Plantas de Fomento, sobre 130 especies de plantas hospedantes, agrupadas en 57 familias botánicas. Se registra un incremento notable de los géneros y especies de pseudocóccidos presentes, así como de sus plantas hospedantes, muchas de las cuales no estaban informadas para Cuba.

The Relation Between Developmental Stages of the Predator, Rodalia cardinals (Mulsant) Reared on Icerya purchasi Maskell and the Required Thermal Units

Laboratory experiments were carried out in the Insectary of Economic Entomology Department Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University study the relationship betweenthe developmental stages of the predator, Rodalia cardinals (Mulsant)and the required thermal units at threeconstant temperatures, (15, 25 and 30˚C) on the third nymphal instar of Icerya purchasi Maskell. The results indicated that, the duration of the predator was longer at 15˚C. As temperature increased from 15 to 30˚C the developmental aspects of R. cardinals decreased. The lower thermal threshold for thedifferent stages were 10.5, 8.5, 5.3, 5.2, 5.4, 6.9, 0.8 and 1.3˚Cfor egg stage, larval stage, pupal stage, preoviposition period, oviposition period, postoviposition period, adult female longevity and adult male longevity, respectively. The heat units required for the development of eggs was 56.2 DD unite, while for larvae, pupae, adult female and adult male were 211.3, 114.7, 969.3 and 664.4, consecutively. The results revealed that, the longevity of the predator adult stage decreased with increasing the temperature degrees. The highest consumption rate per female was at 15 ˚C comparing with the other temperature degrees. The highest number of deposited eggs per female was 25 ˚C with the value of 443.71 eggs/ female. Obtained results provide essential information for predicting the field population of the predator R. cardinals, releasing time on certain mealybug species for controlling this pest and it's recommended to be an item of integrated pest management programs in Egyptian field designed to control certain mealybug species.

Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae): New geographic records and rapid identification using a species-specific PCR assay

The highly invasive Madeira mealybug Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous pest which seriously harms crops of staple foods, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. A method for rapid and accurate identification is needed to slow further spread of this pernicious pest. DNA barcoding and taxonomic keys were used to identify specimens of P. madeirensis collected in Rwanda and China. We designed a species-specific PCR (SS-PCR) primer pair for P. madeirensis based on variable sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene among P. madeirensis and 29 related species. This SS-PCR assay allows for rapid and precise identification. With this assay, no cross-reaction was detected from the 21 closely related mealybug species. All specimens from all ontogenic stages, adult debris, and individuals from 11 populations of P. madeirensis from different geographical areas and/or host plants were detected. The detection limit of this method was 192.58 ± 16.48 pg μL−1 of P. madeirensis DNA. These demonstrated the high sensitivity and effectiveness of this method. Using this method, we found the first described occurrence of P. madeirensis in Southern Province, Rwanda, indicating ongoing spread, and an entirely new invasion in Fujian, China. Invaded regions of China were delineated by a nationwide field study. The SS-PCR assay developed in this study is a rapid, straightforward, and reliable method for the identification of P. madeirensis, and will prove practical in plant quarantine, thus slowing or preventing further invasion and spread, and allowing for sustainable and effective management of this cosmopolitan invader.

Seasonal Distribution and Movement of the Invasive Pest Delottococcus aberiae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Within Citrus Tree: Implications for Its Integrated Management.

Delottococcus aberiae (De Lotto) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is the most recent species of mealybug introduced to Spain that is affecting citrus. The feeding behavior of D. aberiae causes severe direct damage to citrus fruits, distorting their shape and/or causing reduction in size. There is no information available regarding its distribution within the citrus trees. The main objective of this study was to describe the seasonal distribution of D. aberiae within citrus trees and its migration patterns on the plants. Ten citrus orchards from eastern Spain were periodically sampled during 3 yr. In each orchard, the mealybug was sampled in different infested strata (canopy, trunk, and soil) and canopy structures (flower, fruit, leaf, and twig). Results showed that, within the sampled strata, D. aberiae was mostly in the canopy. Within the canopy, the feeding location of D. aberiae changed throughout the year. D. aberiae overwintered in the twigs and moved to the flowers and fruits in spring. Once there, its populations started to increase exponentially until August. From February to September, 5-30% of the mealybugs migrated to the trunk and soil. These results will facilitate an early detection of the pest in the areas where it is spreading and improve sampling protocols and pesticide applications.