Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell)

Malumphy, Chris, 2014, An annotated checklist of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of Saint Lucia, Lesser Antilles, Zootaxa 3846 (1), pp. 69-86 : 80

* Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) — striped mealybug ( Fig. 1 , M)

Occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas (including the Lesser Antilles), Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 82 families; a pest of many crops and ornamentals.

Collection data. Gros-Islet Parish: Cas en Bas beach, on Coccoloba uvifera , 22.viii.2013 (massive population); Gros Islet, huge infestation on A. muricata fruit, causing serious damage and making fruit inedible, 19.viii.2013 ; Rodney Bay (widespread and common), on Codiaeum variegatum , 16.viii.2013 and 28.viii.2013, on Ixora spp. , 16.viii.2013, on Mussaenda ( Rubiaceae) , 16.viii.2013, on Ruellia simplex , 17.viii.2013 ; Reduit beach, on C. uvifera , 16–27.viii.2013. It was also found indoors in a shopping mall in Rodney Bay, on a potted Anthurium , 17.viii.2013 .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Examples of scale insect pests in Saint Lucia. A, Ceroplastes stellifer; B, Philephedra broadwayi on soursop; C, Duplachionaspis divergens on grass; D, Fiorinia proboscidaria on lime; E, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli on oleander; F, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona; G, Crypticerya genistae; H, Insignorthezia insignis; I, Lepidosaphes tokionis on croton; J, Pinnaspis strachani on soursop; K, Praelongorthezia praelonga on sea grape; L, Ferrisia dasylii on croton; M, Ferrisia virgata and other mealybugs on sugar apple; N, Nipaecoccus nipae on palm; O, Planococcus minor on croton. © C. Malumphy, except B, D, F, FERA