Molecular and morphologicalidentification of the mealybug, Phenacoccus solani Ferris (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae): first report in Egypt

摘要

During the summer and autumn of 2016, pumpkins, Cucurbita spp. (Cucurbitaceae), were observed to be infested by mealybug species. Populations were collected on various pumpkin fruits from Rosetta, a port city at the North-Western Nile River delta, Lower Egypt. This study aimed to identify the principle mealybug species infesting the major pumpkin-producing regions in Egypt, by molecular and morphological characterization. DNA from 15 specimens and morphological data from 22 specimens were used to confirm the identity of the mealybug species. The species present were identified as Phenacoccus solani Ferris, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, and Planococcus citri (Risso). This is the first record of Phenacoccus solani Ferris (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)in Egypt.