Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell)

Malumphy, Chris, 2014, An annotated checklist of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of Saint Lucia, Lesser Antilles, Zootaxa 3846 (1), pp. 69-86 : 81

Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) — coconut mealybug ( Fig. 1 , N)

Occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas (including the Lesser Antilles), Asia and the Pacific, restricted to indoor plantings in cooler temperate regions; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 48 families, including many crop and ornamental plants, exhibits a preference for palms. Recorded from Saint Lucia by Walters (1926), Williams & Granara de Willink (1992), CABI (2005) and Malumphy (2012, on Annona muricata fruit). Two distinct forms exist, one with females producing white wax, and the other yellow wax; both forms were observed by the author on Saint Lucia.

Collection data. Frequently abundant causing chlorosis. Gros-Islet Parish : Rodney Bay (widespread and common), on Chrysalidocarpus lutescens and Cocos nucifera , 16–27.viii.2013, Psidium guajava , 19.viii.2013, unidentified palms, 21.viii.2013, and Asparagus , 16.viii.2013 . Intercepted in the UK (London), on A. muricata , 29.vii.2013, leg. D. Dennis (mealybug eggs were attacked by midge larvae Diadiplosis multifila ( Felt) , det. Keith Harris), and 23.ix.2013, leg. R. Waghorn (associated with predatory mites Eupalopsellidae ) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Examples of scale insect pests in Saint Lucia. A, Ceroplastes stellifer; B, Philephedra broadwayi on soursop; C, Duplachionaspis divergens on grass; D, Fiorinia proboscidaria on lime; E, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli on oleander; F, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona; G, Crypticerya genistae; H, Insignorthezia insignis; I, Lepidosaphes tokionis on croton; J, Pinnaspis strachani on soursop; K, Praelongorthezia praelonga on sea grape; L, Ferrisia dasylii on croton; M, Ferrisia virgata and other mealybugs on sugar apple; N, Nipaecoccus nipae on palm; O, Planococcus minor on croton. © C. Malumphy, except B, D, F, FERA