Inkerman, P.A., Ashbolt, N.J., Carver, M., & Williams, D.J. 1986 Observations on the pink sugarcane in mealybug, Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell), in Australia (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae).. Proceedings XIX Congress, International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, Volume 1. The Organizing Committee of the XIX ISSCT Congress Jakarta, Indonesia

Notes: (Conference held 21-31 August 1986, Jakarta, Indonesia.] Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell) was the only species of mealybug found in a recent survey of commercial crops of sugarcane in Australia. Though, on occasions, this mealybug causes some losses of sugar, population levels are apparently kept at below the economic threshold and its life cycle is greatly influenced by agricultural practices. Those mealybugs which survive burning and chopper-harvesting of the cane move underground, often with the aid of ants. There they colonise the cane tissue (including roots) and emerge to re-establish aerial colonies once storage tissue is formed above ground level. Distribution of mealybugs is aided by the planting of insect-infested canes and by the current practice of retaining the leaf sheaths on cane plants, as well as by ants. Natural enemies are discussed, as well the biology of S. sacchari. Other species found on sugarcane elsewhere in Australia include Dysmicoccus boninsis, D. brevipes and Ripersia sp.