mealy bug are widespread pests that mostly affect ornamental , grape vine , and citrus fruits but can also sometimes have problems in greenhouse - grown veggie and berries . IPM & Pollination Specialist David Abeijon smoothen a spot on what signs and symptoms to look out for when reconnoitre crops . He cognise exactly why this pest is such a challenge to ensure chemically and explains the Biobest range of biologic solutions .
Did you know?Together with the scale insects , mealybugs are members of theCoccoideasuperfamily . They also belong to thePseudococcidaefamily , whose most important gadfly species are thePseudococcusand thePlanococcus .
Mealybugs can also be vector of virus , include the GLRaV ( Grapevine Leafroll - associated Virus ) , which is becoming an increasing concern in wine-colored - produce arena worldwide .
Mealybugs have low mobility , which means that outbreaks of this pest depend mostly on climatical conditions .
Signs & symptomsMealybug damage can manifest itself in a variety of ways . mealy bug address the stems , the leaf , and peak buds with snowy , woolly-haired wax . Just like aphid , they have piercing backtalk character that allow them to suck the sap out of plants . The mealybugs then excrete any excess sugar in the form of honeydew .
This take a leak the works ’s leaves , stems , and yield viscid . These control surface then often become black due to the growth of sooty mold . This mold thrive on honeydew and has a negative impact on plant photosynthesis . Honeydew also attracts ants . Ants protect the mealybug from their natural enemy , which sometimes hinders the effectiveness of biological craw protection merchandise .
One thing is clear : mealybugs reduce the artistic value of the plant , and in showcase of a severe infestation , they can also affect the health and maturation of the works . Wilting may be just around the box .
MonitoringWhen scouting , it is important to pay attention to joint on the plant – such as axil and fruit calyx - as mealybug colonies lean to seem in part help as a well-fixed refuge .
Special attending should be paid to outdoor harvest , such as vines and citrus fruits , as the pest can hide underneath the bark or even in the roots of these works . It is from here that new outbreaks be given to pass off in spring . Initially , the cuss tends to be distributed throughout the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or bush before moving to youthful leafage or newly shape fruit . In some crop , such as blueberry bush , it may already be veil inside the unopened bud .
For these reasons , mealybug is challenge to control using chemicals , as it is often gruelling to direct every colony with the spray . In addition , these pests are also protected by their own bed of ‘ woolen . ’ Beneficial insects , on the other manus , actively explore out the pest and egest them .
Pest server rangeMealybugs have a broad legion range , colonizing ornamental as well as outside crop , including citrus , grape , raspberries , blueberries , bananas , pomegranate , pistachio nut , etc . Sometimes glasshouse - grown vegetables - such as sweet pepper , tomato , and Solanum melongena - can also be affected .
What does it look like?First , it is of import to note that distaff and male mealybugs look totally dissimilar .
Females are ellipse - shaped and are covered with a white waxy coat , giving them the appearance of being overlay with a white powder . Some specie can be identified by the pattern generated by the white coat .
In line , males look like small fly with a single pair of ashen / semitransparent wings and a reddish / pink organic structure . They are quite small in comparison to the females . Without mouthpart , male do not feast on plant , and they can be extremely hard to note in the harvest .
Life cycleMealybug eggs develop in waxy masses called ovisacs . Females go through three nymphal stages , with very similar morphologies , before becoming adults .
Male maturation surveil a different itinerary . During the first two nymphal stagecoach , they are identical to female , but during the third nymphal microscope stage , they pupate , after which they develop into a fly grownup insect - similar to a fly .
SolutionsTo make informed IPM determination , it is significant to apply the correct monitoring tools . It is advisable to apply xanthous sticky traps , or Delta Traps , to supervise the adult male person - the only life cycle per second phase that can vanish . If the specie is known in progression , it is best to use attractant pheromone in yap and on cards .
Biobest has a range of beneficial insects to help oneself control mealybug eruption :
For more information : Biobest Group NVT : +32 14 25 79 80[email protected]www.biobestgroup.com
