Valid Names Results

Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) (Pseudococcidae: Planococcus)

Nomenclatural History

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 105 | Genera: 295

Foes:

Families: 15 | Genera: 53

Associates:

Families: 8 | Genera: 15

Geographic Distribution

Countries: 175

Keys

  • ZarkanFaAp2024: pp.234-238 ( Adult (F) ) [Planococcus in southern Asia]
  • SzitaFeGe2023: pp.5 ( Adult (F) ) [Pseudococcidae on imported fruits in Hungary]
  • EvansAb2023: pp.8-13 ( Adult (F) ) [Pseudococccidae of Egypt]
  • ZhangDe2023: pp.79-80 ( Adult (F) ) [Chinese Planococcus]
  • MoghadWa2022: pp.107 ( Adult (F) ) [species of Planococcus in Iran]
  • JoshiSuRe2021: pp.118-119 ( Adult (F) ) [Field characters of mealybugs in cassava]
  • JoshiSuRe2021: pp.119-120 ( Adult (F) ) [Microscopic characters of mealybugs in cassava]
  • MoghadNe2020: pp.387-388 ( Adult (F) ) [Planococcus in Iran]
  • Moghad2020: pp.387-388 ( Adult (F) ) [Planococcus in Iran]
  • Hodgso2020: pp.32-34 ( Adult (M) ) [higher groups of Pseudococcidae]
  • PachecKaBa2020: pp.504-505 ( Adult (F) ) [Pseudococcidae in Uruguay]
  • Suh2019a: pp.2-6 ( Adult (F) ) [mealybugs interepted in S. Korea]
  • MoghadEs2014: pp.59 ( Adult (F) ) [Species onFicus in Iran]
  • Moghad2013: pp.63 ( ) [Key to species of Genus Planococcus Ferris from Iran]
  • SiriseWaHe2013: pp.78-80 ( Adult (F) ) [Mealybugs on Fruit Crops in Sri Lanka]
  • ParsaKoWi2012: pp.10-Aug ( Adult (F) ) [Key to mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) recorded on Manihot spp. (Euphorbiaceae) in the World]
  • Gonzal2011: pp.135 ( Adult (F) ) [Key to separating species of Planococcus on fruit]
  • WilliaMa2009a: pp.97-101 ( Adult (F) ) [Pseudococcidae species from Mauritius]
  • Willia2004a: pp.620-622 ( Adult (F) ) [Planococcus species of southern Asia]
  • KwonDaPa2003a: pp.406 ( Adult (F) ) [Planococcus species of South Korea]
  • MarottPa1997: pp.114 ( Adult (F) ) [Italian mealybugs on Geranium sp.]
  • Koszta1996: pp.169 ( Adult (F) ) [Northeastern North USA]
  • WilliaGr1992: pp.393 ( Adult (F) ) [Central and South America]
  • Cox1989: pp.9 ( Adult (F) ) [World]
  • WilliaWa1988a: pp.163 ( Adult (F) ) [Tropical South Pacific Region]
  • Cox1987: pp.74 ( Adult (F) ) [New Zealand]
  • CoxBe1986: pp.482 ( Adult (F) ) [Mediterranean basin]
  • Willia1985: pp.274 ( Adult (F) ) [Australia]
  • McKenz1967: pp.280 ( Adult (F) ) [U.S.A., California]
  • Beards1966: pp.432 ( Adult (F) ) [Federated States of Micronesia]
  • Beards1960: pp.214 ( Adult (M) ) [Hawaii]
  • Ferris1950b: pp.164 ( Adult (F) ) [North America ]
  • Borchs1949: pp.95 ( Adult (F) ) [Palaearctic region]
  • Zimmer1948: pp.176 ( Adult (F) ) [Hawaii]
  • Lawson1917: pp.177 ( Adult (F) ) [U.S.A.: Kansas]

Remarks

  • Systematics: GeneBank Accession No. AB439517 (Yokogawa & Yahara, 2009). Tranfaglia (1978), Tranfaglia & Tremblay (1982) and Tremblay et al.(1983) pointed out and evaluated the great morphological affinity (of the adult female) of this species with P. ficus. Rotundo (1975), Rotundo & Tremblay (1975a), Rotundo & Tremblay (1976a), Tremblay et al., (1977) and Rotundo & Tremblay (1980) evaluated its degree of affinity to three mealybug species using female and male morphology, chromosome numbers, endosymbionts, serological methods and immunoelectrophoresis. Danzig & Gavrilov-Zimin (2015) considered Planococcus citri and P. ficus to be synonyms based on variation in morphological characters under different environmental conditions. However, we do not accepted this synonymy since there is strong evidence that they have distinct female sex pheromones (Rotundo & Tremblay 1975) and are closely related but distinct using a combination of morphological and molecular characters (Hardy et al., 2008) Kol-Maimon, et al., 2014, reported that P. citri and P. ficus are easily hybridized in the laboratory, and the hybrids are fertile to some extent, therefore, the possible occurrence of natural populations including hybrids should be taken into account. It is interesting to note that laboratory generated hybrids that resulted from crossing P. ficus females with P. citri males resulted in high mortality, as compared with lower mortality of the reciprocal crossing. Offspring produced as a result of cross-mating between P. ficus females and P. citri males hardly ever survive in the laboratory, therefore, P. ficus males displaying characteristics of P. citri males are unlikely to complete their development on plants in the field. In addition to the five haplotypes detected in Turkey, an additional nine haplotypes were detected worldwide, giving 14 haplotypes in total. With respect to geographic distribution, there were three haplotypes from the Americas, six from the Middle East, five from Europe, four from the Far East and three from Africa. Hap 1 and 2 are the two main groups according to haplotype network and both haplotypes are distributed all over the geographic groups except Hap 2, which was not detected in South Africa. The study indicates that Hap 1 and 2 are possibility different cryptic species based on few base changes, because of different host plant range. Different cryptic species might not be so significant for chemical control tactics. However, they might be important for biological control strategies, because of their effect on fitness cost of parasitoids. (Karagaoğlu, et al., 2020) Conflicting data was found in public databases when two sequences of Planococcus minor and two of "Planococcus citri" shared the same haplotype. (Oliviera et al., 2023)
  • Structure: Colour photograph by McKenzie (1967), Schmutterer (1990), Carvalho & Aguiar (1997), Wong et al. (1999) and by Matile-Ferrero et al.(2004). Several aspects of the male chromosome system studied by Nur (1966, 1967, 1968). SEM micrograph of trilocular pore and of wax secretions given by Foldi (1991). Ultrastructure of the symbionts studied by Iaccarino & Tremblay (1971). Rotundo and Tremblay (1974) described a technique for extractions of the female sex pheromone, and Rotundo & Tremblay (1982a) gave preliminary data about its activity. Rotundo & Tremblay (1975b) evaluated the attractiveness of the female sex pheromone. The female sex pheromone was isolated, identified and synthesized by Bierl-Leonhardt et al. (1981). Female sex pheromone synthesized by Gaoni (1982), Carlsen & Odden (1984) and by Wolk et al. (1986). Rotundo & Tremblay (1980a) evaluated the daily rate of release of the female sex pheromone.
  • Biology: James (1937a) showed that reproduction in sexual (in laboratory population in England) and evaluated its sex ratio. James (1938) proved that environmental humidity has no decisive effect (in laboratory population in England) on sex ratio. Nelson-Rees (1960) studied the life history and sex predetermination. Nelson-Rees (1961) described the modification of the ovary due to aging. Rotundo & Tremblay (1975c) reported on the attractiveness of virgin females to hymenopterous parasites. Rotundo & Tremblay (1982b) reported on hybridization between this species and Pl. ficus. Tranfaglia (1978), Tranfaglia & Tremblay (1982) and Tremblay et al. (1983) pointed out and evaluated the great morphological affinity (of the adult female) of this species with P. citri. Rotundo & Tremblay (1982a) bioassayed the synthetic female sex pheromone. The female sex pheromone and some analogues were field-bioassayed by Dunkelblum et al. (1987). Moreno et al. (1984) studied the complex hierarchy of male responses elicited by the female sex pheromone. Ortu & Delrio (1982) presented observations on the use of the pheromone in control of this species. Gothilf & Beck (1966) developed an artifical, defined diet for laboratory rearing of this mealybug. Campbell (1983) assessed the presence and spatial distribution on cocoa trees in Ghana. Natural enemies discussed by Bartlett (1978) and by Moore (1988). Parasites in Palaearctic region discussed by Trjapitzin (1989). Smith et al. (1997) reported from citrus in Australia, at least 6 annual generation (in Queensland and the Northern Territory), 4-5 gnerations in New South wales, while 3-4 in Victoria and South Australia. Mortality of Planococcus citri (Risso), was higher on green than on red or yellow variegated Coleus blumei ‘Bellevue’ (Bentham) plants, and developed faster with a higher fecundity on red variegated plants. (Qin, et al., 2011) Mean longevity for adult males is 73.3 ± 1.6 h. Planococcus citri (Risso) males may fertilize an average of nine females, with a maximum of 27 females during male life span. There is a sexual maturation period of the adult males which lasted for about 42 h., indicated by maximum growth of waxy caudal filaments. (Mendel, et al., 2012) The highly unusual reproductive system of mealybugs has made them a popular model for studying unusual chromosome behavior, with a rich history of cytogenetic research. They are a promising system for studying genomic imprinting (parent-of-origin specific gene expression) and non-Mendelian inheritance. P. citri has also been a valuable model for understanding organellogenesis, the evolutionary process by which endosymbiotic bacteria transition into cellular organelles such as mitochondrial and chloroplasts. (Ross, et al. 2024)
  • Economic Importance: This is one the most cosmopolitan mealybugs, damaging many outdoor crops in the tropics and subtropics, as well as in greenhouse in the temperate regions (Bodenheimer, 1930a, 1951a; McKenzie, 1967; Bartlett, 1978e; Cox, 1989). A sporadic olive pest in the Mediterranean region (Swirski, 1985). Rosciglione & Castellano (1985) showed that this mealybug transmitted Grapevine Virus A (GVA) from grapevine to Nicotiana clevelandii. Lagowska (1995) reviewed the prospects for biological control in greenhouses. Hanna et al., (1956) reported that P. citri is a vector of the swollen-shoot virus disease of cacao in Ghana. Cabaleiro & Segura (1997) studied in Spain the field transmission of Grapevine Leafroll Associated Virus 3 (GLRaV-3) by the mealybug Planococcus citri; it is very likely that the studied mealybug was actually Planococcus ficus (Signoret).

    The provisioning of alternative sugar sources with sugar-feeders has been shown to disrupt the mutualistic association between ants and honeydew producers. (Pérez-Rodríguez, et al., 2021)

  • General Remarks: Description and illustration of adult female by Ferris in Zimmerman (1948), Ferris (1950b), McKenzie (1967), Cox (1981; 1987; 1989), Williams & Watson (1988a), Williams & Granara de Willink (1992), Williams (2004a) and by Danzig & Gavrilov (2010). Good description and illustration of the adult male given by Beardsley (1960) and by Afifi (1968). Description of adult female by Borchsenius (1949). Cox (1981) evaluated the effect of environmental conditions on the range of variation of certain morphological characters in the adult female.

Illustrations

Citations