First report of Maconellicoccus hirsutus in Brazil
In Brazil, the presence of Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae – EPPO A2 List) was observed for the first time in October 2010 in the state of Roraima. The mealybug was found in the municipalities of Bonfim, Pacaraima and Boa Vista, attacking Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. From January 2011 to April 2012, surveys were conducted in the municipalities of Boa Vista and Normandia. In Boa Vista, M. hirsutus was found on leaves and fruits of Inga edulis (Fabaceae), seedlings of Centrolobium paraensis (Fabaceae), leaves and pods of soybean (Glycine max - Fabaceae), young tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum - Solanaceae). In Normandia, M. hirsutus was found on leaves and fruits of carambola (Averrhoa carambola - Oxalidaceae), leaves of guava (Psidium guajava - Myrtaceae), branches and fruit of soursop (Annona muricata - Annonaceae), and leaves of orange trees (Citrus sinensis - Rutaceae). The emergence of a parasitoid, Anagyrus kamali (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was observed in samples of H. hirsutus collected from hibiscus plants.
The situation of Maconellicoccus hirsutus in Brazil can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2010, several localities in the state of Roraima (Boa Vista, Bonfim, Normandia, Pacaraima).
Sources
Morais EGF, Peronti, ALBG, Marsaro AL Jr, da Silva RJ Jr (2012) [New records and hosts of the pink mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus in Roraima]. Abstract of a paper presented at the XXIV Congresso Brasileiro de Entomologia (Curitiba, BR, 2012-09-16/20) (in Portuguese).