Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908)

López, Myriam Arias de, Kondo, Takumasa & Molina-Moreira, Natalia, 2025, A new threat to Ecuadorian flora: first report of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and its potential biological control agent, Revista Brasileira de Entomologia (e 20250007) 69 (2), pp. 1-9 : 3

Identification of Maconellicoccus hirsutus

The identification of M.hirsutus was confirmed on September 6 by report LR-GUAYAS- E-I23-2821, issued by Agrocalidad-Guayaquil. The identification was corroborated by T. Kondo, revealing the presence of this quarantine pest for the first time in Ecuador, in the provinces of Guayas and Manabí. The morphology of slide-mounted specimens agrees with those provided by Miller (1999), and Williams (1986, 1996, 2004). Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C show the typical external morphological characteristics of the live specimens and their damage.

Figures

Figure 2. Pink hibiscus mealybug, M. hirsutus. A. Adult female, adult male (the winged specimen) and nymphs. B. Adult females with ovisacs. C. Nymphs and an ovisac showing eggs in its interior. Photos: M.Arias de López.