Vitoria, J.M., Zacarias, F.M., Mariot, M.P., Barbieri, R.L., & Pinto, J.R. 2013 [Occurrence of mealybugs in "thorn-santa" (Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. Former Reissek)]. Ocorréncia de cochonilhas em espinheira-santa (Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. Former Reissek).. Brazilian Journal of Medicinal Plants 15(2): 176-179

Notes: Maytenus ilicifolia is a medicinal plant native to Brazil that has been cultivated to meet the growing market demand. The factors that affect the production, such as the incidence of pests and diseases, must be studied to ensure the increase in productivity. The aim of this study was to document the occurrence and identification of mealybugs associated with 15 accessions of thorn-santa (Maytenus ilicifolia) the Active Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Temperate Climate and the Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul. Was recorded the amount of infested plants in each accession and identified in laboratory species infesting mealybugs. The number of infested plants ranged between accesses. Mealybugs were identified Ceroplastes sp. and Saissetia oleae, family Coccidae. Of 10 accesses the infested 23 (11.3%) plants showed infestation Ceroplastes spp. and only one (0.5%) with Saissetia oleae. Accession 133 showed the highest incidence of Ceroplastes sp. (33.3%), followed by accession 130 (25.0%). Accession 123 showed the least amount of infested plants (4.8%). Saissetia oleae occurred in only one plant, which belongs to accession 136 (5.6%).