Vryburgia brevicruris (McKenzie)

Matsunaga, Janis N., Howarth, Francis G. & Kumashiro, Bernarr R., 2019, New State Records and Additions to the Alien Terrestrial Arthropod Fauna in the Hawaiian Islands, Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 51 (1), pp. 1-71 : 10-11

Vryburgia brevicruris (McKenzie)

NEW STATE RECORD

Mealybug masses were observed and collected off Senecio

madagascariensis plant roots from around Hale Pohaku, off Mauna Kea access road (~ 9,300 ft elevation). The infestation was very low, and only a few mature females were found. Specimens were verified by D.R. Miller as Vryburgia brevicruris (McKenzie) , a species typically found on aerial parts of its hosts. This species has previously been intercepted in Hawaii from Caralluma nebrowni (Asclepiadaceae) imported from California (holotype female), but has never been collected in the field until now.

Collection records: HAWAII, Mauna Kea, Hale Pohaku , ~ 2,835 m elev., 31.V.2011 , ex. Senecio madagascariensis roots, coll. J.N. Matsunaga, det. D.R. Miller, 8.II.2012; Mauna Kea, Hale Pohaku , ~ 2,835 m elev., 25.I.2013; ex. S. madagascariensis roots, coll. J.N. Matsunaga, P. Conant, C. Young, det. J.N. Matsunaga II.2013. Vouchers at HDOA.