Comparative development and reproduction of P lanococcus ficus and P lanococcus citri ( H emiptera: P seudococcidae) on grapevine under field conditions

Mealybugs are major pests in grape‐growing areas worldwide, causing direct and indirect crop damage. The vine mealybug P lanococcus ficus ( S ignoret) is a key pest in most of grape‐producing countries, whereas the citrus mealybug P lanococcus citri ( R isso) is reported as being destructive in B razilian and S panish vineyards. We examined the adaptation of the citrus mealybug to grapevine by investigating its development, reproduction and life‐history parameters under M editerranean field conditions in comparison with those of P . ficus . Both mealybug species developed and reproduced successfully on grapevine. However, P . ficus showed a shorter development time, larger female body size, and higher fecundity, fertility and survival than P . citri . The life‐history parameters further highlighted the different growth potential of vine and citrus mealybug populations because P . ficus exhibited a net reproductive rate and an intrinsic rate of increase two‐ to four‐fold higher than that of P . citri . Furthermore, the vine mealybug population doubled its number in approximately half time with respect to the citrus mealybug. Overall, the results of the present study show a better development and reproductive performance and a higher population growth potential of P . ficus compared with P . citri , indicating a higher capacity of the vine mealybug to develop on grapevine in M editerranean vineyards.