Life cycle of Pseudococcus elisae and field dynamics of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) present on the Coffea arabica roots

Abstract

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) are pests in coffee, Coffea arabica, in different coffee-producing countries and affect both the roots and the aerial part; however, their biology and population dynamics remain poorly studied. This study aimed to evaluate the life cycle of Pseudococcus elisae and analyze the field dynamics of mealybugs species present in coffee roots. The life cycle was carried out under controlled conditions (25 °C ± 2 °C, 70 % - 80 % RH, and photoperiod 12:12 h [L: D]), on 100 four-month-old coffee plants and 100 fruits of Cucurbita moschata; additionally, fecundity and fertility parameters were recorded. In C. arabica the duration from egg to adult was 98.1 ± 1.3 days for females and 68 ± 0.4 days for males; each female lays an average of 231 ± 3.6 eggs from which 197.3 ± 6.2 nymphs emerged; the sexual ratio was 11♀: 6♂. In C. moschata the duration from egg to adult was 92.1 ± 0.3 days for females and 67.2 ± 0.3 days for males, each female lays an average of 201 ± 3.6 eggs, of which 182.7 ± 4.8 nymphs emerged, the sexual ratio was 8♀: 8♂. In the field, it was found that 70.4 % of the plants had mealybugs, and they were observed from the first month of age; of these, 82.7% had P. elisae and Dysmicoccus texensis species-complex, which encysted the roots of coffee plants starting at eleven months of age.