Biology of Papaya Mealybug and its Biological Control in Sericulture

摘要

Apolyphagous pest, the papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) has been recorded on more than 55 host plants in more than 25 genera. Presently, this invasive pest has spread to crops like, okra, cotton, teak and sunflower besides mulberry. Economically important host plants of the papaya mealybug include papaya, hibiscus, avocado, citrus, cotton, tomato, eggplant, peppers, beans and peas, sweet potato, mango, cherry and pomegranate.