Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) on coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

Mealybugs can be found in roots and shoots of coffee trees, producing withering and damaging fruits. The correct identification of species is important to establish a biological control program and other management strategies. The aim of this study was to survey and identify mealybug species present in coffee, Coffea arabica L., in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Samples were taken in some towns of the South, East, Jequitinhonha and Triângulo region. The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) and the long tailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti, 1867) were found in the aerial part of the plant, while Dysmicoccus texensis (Tinsley, 1900) was present on roots. The presence of these mealybugs is sporadic but occasionally they cause severe damage obliging insecticide spraying to control them. Others mealybugs species mentioned for Brazil were not found is this survey.