Determination of mealybug species in citrus orchards of mediterranean and aegean region of Turkey with investigation on some bioecological characteristics of citrus mealybug [Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)]

This study has been conducted in the Mediterranean and Aegean region for surveying mealybug species on citrus plants. According to survey results, 9 mealybug species were determined. These species are Marchalina hellenica Gennadius (Hem.: Margarodidae), Phenacoccus solani Tinsley, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908), Planococcus vovae (Nasonov, 1908), Planococcus citri (Risso) and Planococcus ficus (Signoret). In addition, 30 species from Coccinellidae belonging to Coleoptera, 7 species from 3 different families belonging to Neuroptera, and 4 species from Encyrtidae belonging to Hymenoptera have been detected during this survey. Moreover, monitoring the population of mealybug has been done. Depending on climate conditions, mealybug completed the fourth generation and also different stages of the fifth generation were seen during this study. Citrus mealybug has been studied at 5 different stable temperatures (15, 20 25, 30, and 35°C) and 1 changeable temperature (25/30°C) with 65±10 % relative humidity on grapefruit leaves in the laboratory condition. In addition, duration of immature and mature development of mealybugs has been determined on 8 different citrus variety's leaves. As a result of this study, longevity of P.citri's female was 80.43, 41.40, 30.73, 29.54, 31.93 days at 15, 20, 25, 30, 25/30°C respectively. Male's longevity was 8.26, 4.46, 4.71, 1.85, 2.70 days at 15, 20, 25, 30, 25/30°C respectively. As can be seen, males longevity was shorter than females. No development occurred at 35°C. Besides, best development was observed on Enterdonatta lemon variyety among other host plants.