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Vine Mealybug

Planococcus ficus (Signoret) -- Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

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Vine mealybug was first found in California in the mid-1990s. Since then it has spread throughout the state, becoming among the most significant vineyard pests. Vine mealybug has a wide host range, feeding on several agricultural and weedy plant species. However, grapevines are a preferred host, and are the most severely affected by this insect. Like other mealybugs, vine mealybug feeds on phloem sap, but it can be found throughout the plant and even on the roots. High reproductive rates and rapid development times promote severe infestations that are difficult to control. Furthermore, vine mealybug's tendency to feed under the bark and below the soil surface offers a refuge from contact insecticides and natural enemies. In some regions a mutualism with ants exists, whereby ants protect mealybugs from natural enemies and move them below ground to favorable microclimates in exchange for sugar rich honeydew. Successful control of this pest hinges on limiting spread of contaminated plant material complemented by early detection and rapid implementation of chemical and biological control of new infestations.

Vine mealybug is now found throughout the Mediterranean region, South Africa, parts of Asia, and Mexico. After its arrival in the Coachella Valley (Riverside County) the vine mealybug has spread to the San Joaquin Valley, foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Central Coast, and eventually North Coast vineyards. The long range and rapid spread of the insect throughout the state is likely the result of transportation of contaminated nursery plant material and field equipment. As of 2007 vine mealybug is known to be established in 17 California counties, which include most of the major wine, raisin and table grape producers. With the exception of a putative eradication in El Dorado County, populations of vine mealybug persist in these regions and are likely to have a worldwide distribution. Originally believed to be spread only by infected propagation material, the mealybug was considered a minor problem or even a boon for wine quality. Recent outbreaks in the Western United States associated with new infestations of vine mealybug and other mealybug vectors have changed this perception. Vine mealybug is now prevalent throughout California vineyards and is considered a significant economic threat.

The vine mealybug produces abundant honeydew that causes sooty mold damage. High densities of the insect lead to decreased plant vigor, defoliation, and the insects themselves may be entrapped in grape clusters. However, because vine mealybug is an efficient vector of grapevine leafroll associated viruses it can cause damage even at relatively low densities. Effects of the virus infection differ among grape varieties. Among the most susceptible grapes, infection causes reddening of leaves, curling of their margins, decreased plant vigor, and leaf drop. Finally this delays ripening of fruit and reduces quality and yield.

REFERENCES: FURTHER RELATED REFERENCES

Allsopp, E. 2016. Transmission of Grapevine Leafroll-associated Virus 3 by Vine Mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret), to Grapevines Treated with Imidacloprid. South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture. 36 (2).

Bugg, Robert L. & Carol Waddington. 1994. Using cover crops to manage arthropod pests of orchards: A review. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 50 (1): 11–28.

Cocco, Arturo; Enrico Muscas, Alessandra Mura, Andrea Iodice, Francesco Savino & Andrea Lentini. 2018. Influence of mating disruption on the reproductive biology of the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), under field conditions. Pest Management Science. 74 (12): 2806–2816.

Daane, Kent M.; Monica L. Cooper, Sergei V. Triapitsyn, Vaughn M. Walton, Glenn Y. Yokota, David R. Haviland, J. Bentley, Kris E. Godfrey & Lynn R. Wunderlich. 2008. Vineyard managers and researchers seek sustainable solutions for mealybugs, a changing pest complex. California Agriculture. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 62 (4): 167–176.

Daane, Kent M.; Charles Vincent, Rufus Isaacs & Claudio Ioriatti. 2018. Entomological Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Viticulture in a Global Market. Annual Review of Entomology. 63 (1): 193–214

Flaherty, D. 1982. Major insect and mite pests; In: Grape Pest Management, Agricultural Sciences Publications. 4105: 412

Hollingsworth, Robert G. 2005. Limonene, a Citrus Extract, for Control of Mealybugs and Scale Insects. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98 (3): 772–779

Tanne, Edna; Y. Ben-Dov & H. Raccah. 1989). Transmission of the corky-bark disease by the mealybug Planococcus ficus. Phytoparasitica. 17 (1): 55–55.

Walton, V. M. & K. L. Pringle. 2017a. Effects of Pesticides and Fungicides Used on Grapevines on the Mealybug Predatory Beetle Nephus boschianus (Coccinellidae, Scymnini). South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture. 22 (2).

Walton, V. M. & K. L. Pringle. 2017b. Vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae ), a Key Pest in South African vineyards. A Review. South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture. 25 (2).

Waterworth, Rebeccah A; Ian M. Wright & Jocelyn G. Millar. 2011. Reproductive Biology of Three Cosmopolitan Mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Species, Pseudococcus longispinus, Pseudococcus viburni, and Planococcus ficus. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 104 (2): 249–260.

FURTHER RELATED REFERENCES:

Chiappini, E., S. V. Triapitzin & A. Donev. 1996. Key to the Holarctic species of Anagrus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) with a review of the Nearctic and Palaearctic (other than European) species and descriptions of new taxa. Journal of Natural History 30: 551-595.

Mousa, S. F.; A. H. El-Heneidy, A. A. Hindawy, Adaly Dalia, D. Gonzalez, & S. V. Triapitzin. 2001. Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), Parasitoids in Egypt. 1- Preliminary Record. Egypt. J. Biological Pest Control 11 (2): (2001).

El-Heneidy, A. H.; S. M., S. V. Triapitzin, Adaly Dalia; D. Gonzalez, V. A. Triapitzin & Dale E. Meyerdirk. 2001. A Survey for Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), and their Parasitoids in Egypt, Spain and Morocco. California Agriculture (2001).

Triapitzin, S. V. 1995a. The identities of Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) egg parasitoid of the grape and blackberry leafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in California. Pan-Pacific Entomology 71 (4): 250-251.

Triapitzin, S. V. 1995b. A review of the Australian species of Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Russian Entomological Journal 4 (1-4): 105-108.

Triapitzin, S. V. 1997. The genus Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in America south of the United States: a review. Ceiba (Zamorano, Honduras), 38 (1): 1-12.

Triapitzin, S. V. 1998. Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) egg parasitoids of Erythroneura spp. and other leafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in North American vineyards and orchards: a taxonomic review. Transactions of the American Entomological Society. 124 (2): 77-112.

Trjapitzin, S. V. & D. Strong. 1995. A new Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of Prokelisia spp. (Homoptera: Delphacidae). Pan-Pacific Entomol. 71 (4): 199-203.

Triapitzin, S. V., R. F. Mizell III, J. L. Bossart & C. E. Carlton. 1998. Egg parasitoids of Homalodisca coagulata (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Florida Entomologist 81 (2): 241-243.

Walker, G. P., N. Zareh, I. M. Bayoun & S. V. Triapitzin. 1997. Introduction of western Asian egg parasitoids into California for biological control of beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 73 (4): 236-242.