Franco, J.C., Russo, A., Suma, P., Neto, E., Levi-Zada, A., & Mendel, Z. 2005 Comparative biology of the citrus mealybug and the vineyard mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) (Abstract only).. Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies, held at Plant Protection Research Institute, Adana/ Turkey, 19-23 April 2004. Adana Zirai Muscadele Arastirma Enstitusu. Adana, Turkey. 408 pp.

Notes: The citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) (= PC) and the vineyard mealybug Planococcus ficus Signoret (= PF) are the most economically important species of the genus and have been therefore subjected to numerous studies, much more than any other of their congeners. These species are extremely morphologically alike and until the last decades they were considered one species. Cox (1989) separated between them mainly through their different range of numbers of: (i) oral collar tubular ducts, (ii) length of seta of the abdominal segment, (iii) oral collar tubular ducts, (iv) frequent presence of translucent pores on the hind femora and (v) number of multilocular disc pores in the posterior zone of the anterior coxa. Hence, in this paper we compare the biology and ecology of these species based on several characteristics. (1) Geographical distribution: While PC is believed to be an Afrotropical species PF is a Paleartic species, probably from the Mediterranean. However, clues on the origin of both species are highly speculative. Actually, the distribution of PF is narrower than that of Pc. Outside the Mediterranean, PF is reported mainly from vineyards; PC occurs in noxious densities on perennial crops in the tropical and subtropical zones and on indoor ornamentals all around the globe. PF occurs also in areas with low winter temperatures (more continental) which are not tolerated by Pc. (2) Host plants: the native hosts of PC are unknown, those of PF believed to be Ficus spp. PC has much wider recorded host lists, 70 botanical families as compare with 12 families for PF. However, the major orchard type crops damaged by PC are citrus (Citrus spp.) persimmon (Diospyros kakii, banana (Musa paradisiaca) and custard apple (Annona spp.). Those affected by PF are mainly grapevine (Vitis spp.) and fig (Ficus carica]). In indoor mass rearing they may occur together on the same potato sprout or squash. (3) Damage: both species damage immature fruits by feeding and soiling with honeydew, on which sooty mould fungi develop; these attract fruit boring moths and stem borers, for PC and PF, respectively. PF is also responsible for the transmission of viral diseases. (4) Life and seasonal history: the life cycle is similar, both overwinter as fertilized females. In Mediterranean vineyards PF develop 3 annual generations whereas PC carries out 4-5 annual generations. (5) Sex pheromone: that of PC is (+) R- planococcyl citri, while that of PF is (S)lavandulyl senecioate. (6) Natural enemies: the four encyrtid species which are considered the principal parasitoids of PC, Leptornastix dactylopii, Anagyrus pseudococci, Leptomastidea abnormis, and Coccidoxenoides peregrinus, develop successfully also on PF. However, while A. pseudococci occurs naturally in the Mediterranean and it is the principal parasitoid of PF, L. dactylopii is believed to be the principal parasitoid of PC and the latter most physiologically adapted parasitoid. L. dactylopii has probably originated in tropical Africa and survives the winter only in tropical and sub-tropical areas.