Amarasekare, K.G., Chong, J.H., Epsky, N.D., & Mannion, C.M. 2008 Effect of temperature on the life history of the mealybug Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).. Journal of Economic Entomology 101(6): 1798-1804.

Notes: Effect of temperature on the life history of the mealybug Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was investigated in the laboratory. P. marginatus was able to develop and complete its life cycle at 18, 20, 25, and 30 ± 1°C. At 15, 34, and 35°C, the eggs hatched after 27.5, 5.9, and 5.5 d of incubation, respectively, but further development of the first-instar nymphs was arrested. No eggs hatched at 37°C. The developmental time for egg to adult was the longest at 18°C for both males and females. Approximately 80-90% of the eggs survived between 20 and 30°C. The highest fecundity was at 25°C with each female producing an average of 300 eggs. Adult longevity, and preoviposition and oviposition periods increased with decreasing temperature up to 25°C. The proportion of females was ~42% at 25°C and was between 70 and 80% at 18, 20, and 30°C. Adult males and females required 303.0 and 294.1 degree-days (DD), respectively, to complete their development. The estimated minimum temperature thresholds for the adult males and females were 14.5 and 13.9°C, respectively. For adult males, the estimated optimum and maximum temperature thresholds were 28.7 and 31.9°C; and for adult females, they were 28.4 and 32.1°C, respectively. The ability of P. marginatus to develop, survive, and reproduce successfully between 18 and 30°C suggests that it has the capability to develop and establish in areas within this temperature range.