First report of Maconellicoccus hirsutus in Saint-Martin (Netherlands Antilles)
Maconellicoccus hirsutus (pink or Hibiscus mealy bug) continues to spread within the Caribbean region. On 1996-05-06, it was found for the first time in Saint-Martin (Anse Marcel), on Hibiscus plants. It can be recalled that this mealy bug was found in Grenada in November 1994, in Trinidad in August 1995 (EPPO RS 95/235) and in St Kitts ; Nevis in 1996 (EPPO RS 96/028). This pest could be a serious threat also for southern USA, central and south America. It may be noted that the NAPPO Newsletter mentions interceptions of M. hirsutus in USA on consignments from several Central American and Carribbean countries where the pest has not yet been recorded. While such interceptions cannot be considered as records for those countries, they do suggest that the pest is already more widespread.
Sources
Matile-Ferrero, D.; Etienne, J. (1996) Présence de la cochenille de l'hibiscus, Maconellicoccus hirsutus à Saint-Martin (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae).
Revue française d'Entomologie, 18(1), p 38.
Anonymous (1996) New pest outbreaks - The pink mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green.
NAPPO Newsletter 16(4), p 3.