Paracoccus marginatus , an Invasive Mealybug of Papaya and its Biological Control - an overview

Abstract

The papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is native of Mexico and /or Central and North America. Since its description in 1992, it has invaded several Carbbean Islands, Florida, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, West Africa, and it is likely to spread many other countries. It is highly polyphagus attacking more than 70 plant species causing severe loss. Insecticides failed to give adequate control of P. marginatus . On the other hand, natural enemies particularly, Acerophagus papayae Noyes and Schauff were highly useful to suppress the papaya mealybug. Its origin, distribution, taxonomy, biology, ecology, host range, natural enemies and methods of control particularly classical biological control are reviewed here.