Influence of host plants on biological aspects of the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)‎ under laboratory

Abstract EN

Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) ) is a highly polyphagous and has been reported on over 200 host plant species belonging to 191 genera and 82 families and can seriously damage many crops, particularly citrus and glasshouse tomatoes.

Biological studies were carried out in Scale Insects and Mealybugs Laboratory, Plant Protection Research Institute, Kafer EL-Sheikh, Egypt during 2018 to study duration periods of immature and mature stages of P.citri on three different host plants [ Two varities of potato (Solanum tuberosum var.

spunta and Solanum tuberosum var.

cara) and sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas)] and the effects of host plant on the development, longevity and reproduction of P.

citri .

This study showed that a highly significant difference between the mean duration of P.

citri adult female and male on three host plant (spunta, cara and sweet potatoes).

There was a highly significant difference between the mean number of eggs laid per female of P.

citri on aforementioned host plants.