Dapoto, G.L, Olave, A., Bondoni, M., & Giganti, H. 2011 Obscure mealybug (Pseudococcus viburni) in Pear Trees in the Alto Valle of Rio Negro and Neuquen, Argentina. Acta Horticulturae 2011(909):497-504

Notes: Argentina is the leading pear exporting country in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Alto Valle of Río Negro and Neuquén is the most important region of pome fruit production of Argentina. The pear production is mainly ‘William’s’. Requirements of importing countries are becoming more stringent and specific health protocols must be established for quarantine pests, including Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) (obscure mealybug) on pear. Since the first record on pear in Argentina in 1996 there have been few studies in the region concerning the morphology and bioecology of this species. This paper describes the geographic distribution of this pest, based on bibliographic records and regional sampling. Information about morphological and bioecological characteristics, location, shape and quantity of egg laying, the beginning of the life cycle from late August to early September, the form and period of overwintering from June, the overlap and the number of generations and types of damage (direct and indirect) are also described. Host plants and their natural enemies are cited.