Hall, D.G., Roda, A.L., Lapointe, S.L., & Hibbard, K. 2008 Phenology of Maconnellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Florida based on attraction of adult males to pheromone traps. . Florida Entomologist 91(2): 305-310.

Notes: Research was conducted in Florida to assess the phenology of pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), based on numbers of adult males captured in traps baitedwith a synthetic pheromone. Trapping was conducted at 3 locations in east central Florida in ornamental plantings of hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) infested by the mealybug, with traps hung directly within plants. Trapping was also conducted in southeast Florida near Miami in a tropical fruit tree planting. Males were highly attracted to traps baited with the lure, consistent with reports in the literature. Numbers of adult males captured in traps indicated that M. hirsutus was consistently most abundant during late summer and early fall with peak populations occurring any time during late August through early October. Populations of M. hirsutus, based on captures of males, were consistently low during winter and spring from January through mid April.