The papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) belongs to the Pseudococcidae family. Adult females have yellowish bodies covered with a white waxy coating that is usually thinner between the segments giving the body a slightly barred appearance. The lateral waxy filaments are short. The elongated oval body of the adult female is 2.0 to 3.5 mm long while the adult male is very small, winged and pink in color. Upon maturation, the papaya mealybug begins to secrete white, elastic, sticky wax filaments from the edges of its abdomen to form a protective ovisac for its yellow eggs. The ovisac can be up to twice as long as the body.
The papaya mealybug is polyphagous, feeding on more than 55 plants in over 25 genera. Host plants of economic importance include papaya, avocado, citrus, mango, cherry and pomegranate, as well as hibiscus, cotton, tomato, eggplant, peppers, beans, peas and sweet potato.
DAMAGE
A high population of mealybugs can lead to: fruit drop, fruit deformation and development of discolored welts on the rind of the fruit.
Mealybug secrete copious quantities of honeydew which is a substrate for a group of fungi, sooty mold. Sooty mold is black in color and may stain the fruit decreasing their market value as well as causing a delay in fruit color development. Photosynthetic potential, especially of young trees, may be negatively affected if sooty mold infection is severe. Mealybug is a phytosanitary pest in some export markets and if found on fruit destined for these markets, can result in rejection of the consignment and could place these markets at risk for the future.
There are specific natural enemies for different species of mealybugs.
For more information contact your local BioBee field agent.
