Zettler, J.A., Adams, K., Frederick, B., Gutting, A., Ingebretsen, N., Ragsdale, A., & Schrey, A. 2017 Genetic structure Pseudococcus microcirculus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) populations on epiphytic orchids in south Florida. Journal of Genetics 96(1): 33-38
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Notes: In 2012, the orchid mealy bug Pseudococcus microcirculus was first detected in situ in North America’s more diverse orchidregion, the Big Cypress Basin (Collier Co FL). A follow-up survey showed that the mealy bug is more widespread and found on epiphytic orchids in two locations, in both the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. Our results indicate that there is genetic diversity and differentiation among mealy bugs in these locations, and that collections of individuals on the same plant are genetically diverse. As such, the mealy bugs throughout these areas are likely to be genetically diverse and exist in multiple distinct populations.
