NEEM PLANT, AZADIRICHTA INDICA (MELIACEAE) AS AN ALTERNATE HOST FOR THE PINK MEALYBUG, MACONELLICOCCUS HIRSUTUS (GREEN, 1908) (HEMIPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE)
S. ONKARA NAIK *
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NEMATOLOGY, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURALRESEARCH (IIHR), HESSARAGHATTA LAKE POST, BANGALORE - 560 089, INDIA
M. JAYASHANKAR *
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NEMATOLOGY, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURALRESEARCH (IIHR), HESSARAGHATTA LAKE POST, BANGALORE - 560 089, INDIA
A.K. CHAKRAVARTHY *
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NEMATOLOGY, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURALRESEARCH (IIHR), HESSARAGHATTA LAKE POST, BANGALORE - 560 089, INDIA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a serious, polyphagous pest of many agricultural and ornamental plants in tropical and subtropical regions. While the primary host of M. hirsutus is the ornamental Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the mealybug will also feed on and inhabit a wide range of predominantly woody plants, including ornamentals (http://www.eppo.org/QUARANTINE/ insects/Maconellicoccus hirsutus/DS Maconellicoccus hirsutus.pdf).
Keywords: Azadirichta indica, alternate host Maconellicoccus hirsutus