First report of Maconellicoccus hirsutus in Israel
Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae – EPPO A2 List) is reported for the first time from Israel. In September 2015, the pest was collected in 2 locations in Northern Israel on various ornamental plants. It was found on Annona squamosa, Euphorbia cotinifolia, Malvaviscus arboreus and Plumeria rubra at the Bahá’í Gardens at Bahjí in ‘Akko (north of Haifa). It was also recovered from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in Timrat, a village near Moshav Nahalal, in the Lower Galilee. Two parasitoids of M. hirsutus, Anagyrus kamali and Gyranusoidea indica (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) were recovered from the collected samples. In addition, it was observed that the mealybug colonies were attacked by Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and individuals of the predatory fly, Cacoxenus perspicax (Diptera: Drosophilidae) were also found. It is thought that M. hirsutus has spread naturally into Israel from neighbouring countries.
The situation of Maconellicoccus hirsutus in Israel can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2015 in 2 locations in the Northern part.
Sources
Spodek M, Watson GW, Mendel Z (2016) The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), a new threat to Israel's agriculture and horticulture. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 46(2), 311–312