The invasive papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, 1992 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) - a review of its ecology and control methods

Papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous pest that attacks about 54 plant families, many of which are of economic importance. Following its discovery in the USA in 1998, this mealybug rapidly spread to several countries located across Asia and Africa. Most of the damage and low yield to plants is caused by immature stages. It infests leaves and fruits turning them yellow, consequently causing them to dry out. In general, the existence of a white waxy coating has added to the challenge of controlling this pest. This pest is currently controlled using a combination of chemical, biological and cultural techniques within integrated pest management systems. This review paper outlines the current knowledge on P. marginatus and efforts taken to control this invasive pest.