Formicococcus polysperes Williams

Taxonomic position

Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

Habitat / Crop(s) damaged

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Betel (Piper betle), Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and Areca catechu.

The mealybug Formicococcus polysperes Williams has recently been recorded for the first time to attack rhizomes of ginger Zingiber officinale Roscoe in Meghalaya, India. Although this species has been recorded earlier from India on the roots of Piper nigrum, Arachis hypogaea, Areca catchu and Piper betel, its heavy infestation on ginger, reaching almost 50% in the field and storage, raises alarm about its spread and its ability to widen its host range. This species is considered as one of the most important invasive species at the US port of entries.

For more details see this reference paper.

Image

Credits

Factsheet information and Photo contributed by Dr. Sunil Joshi, Principal Scientist, Division of Insect Systematics, NBAIR.