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Datasheet

Planococcoides njalensis (west African cocoa mealybug)

Summary

  • Last modified
  • 21 March 2017
  • Datasheet Type(s)
  • Pest
  • Vector of Plant Pest
  • Natural Enemy
  • Preferred Scientific Name
  • Planococcoides njalensis
  • Preferred Common Name
  • west African cocoa mealybug
  • Taxonomic Tree
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  •     Kingdom: Metazoa
  •         Phylum: Arthropoda
  •             Subphylum: Uniramia
  •                 Class: Insecta

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Pictures

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PictureTitleCaptionCopyright
External morphology of adult female.
TitleAdult female
CaptionExternal morphology of adult female.
CopyrightBeatrice Padi
External morphology of adult female.
Adult femaleExternal morphology of adult female.Beatrice Padi
Soil nest (arrowed) of attendant ants (Camponotus spp.) covering and providing shelter for a colony of P. njalensis on cocoa.
TitleAttendant ants nest
CaptionSoil nest (arrowed) of attendant ants (Camponotus spp.) covering and providing shelter for a colony of P. njalensis on cocoa.
CopyrightBeatrice Padi
Soil nest (arrowed) of attendant ants (Camponotus spp.) covering and providing shelter for a colony of P. njalensis on cocoa.
Attendant ants nestSoil nest (arrowed) of attendant ants (Camponotus spp.) covering and providing shelter for a colony of P. njalensis on cocoa.Beatrice Padi

Identity

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Preferred Scientific Name

  • Planococcoides njalensis (Laing)

Preferred Common Name

  • west African cocoa mealybug

Other Scientific Names

  • Pseudococcus exitiabilis Laing
  • Pseudococcus njalensis Laing

Local Common Names

  • Germany: Schmierlaus, Westafrikanische Kakao-

EPPO code

  • PSECNJ (Planococcoides njalensis)

Taxonomic Tree

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  • Domain: Eukaryota
  •     Kingdom: Metazoa
  •         Phylum: Arthropoda
  •             Subphylum: Uniramia
  •                 Class: Insecta
  •                     Order: Hemiptera
  •                         Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
  •                             Superfamily: Coccoidea
  •                                 Family: Pseudococcidae
  •                                     Genus: Planococcoides
  •                                         Species: Planococcoides njalensis

Distribution Table

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The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

CountryDistributionLast ReportedOriginFirst ReportedInvasiveReferencesNotes

AFRICA

BeninPresentEPPO, 2014
CameroonPresentEntwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014
CongoPresentEntwistle, 1972
Congo Democratic RepublicPresentEPPO, 2014
Côte d'IvoirePresentEntwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014
GhanaPresentEntwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014
GuineaPresentBen-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014
LiberiaPresentEzzat & McConnell, 1956; Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014
NigeriaPresentEntwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014
Sao Tome and PrincipePresentBen-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014
SenegalPresentCox & Freeston, 1985
Sierra LeonePresentLaing, 1944; Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014
TogoPresentBen-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014

Host plants/Plants Affected

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Plant nameFamilyContext
Ananas comosus (pineapple)BromeliaceaeOther
Bombax buonopozense (silk-cotton tree)BombacaceaeWild host
Ceiba pentandra (kapok)BombacaceaeWild host
Clerodendrum (Fragrant clerodendron)LamiaceaeWild host
Coffea (coffee)RubiaceaeOther
Coffea arabica (arabica coffee)RubiaceaeOther
Coffea canephora (robusta coffee)RubiaceaeOther
Coffea liberica (Liberian coffee tree)RubiaceaeOther
ColaSterculiaceaeOther
Cola acuminata (cola)SterculiaceaeOther
Delonix regia (flamboyant)FabaceaeWild host
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbiaceaeWild host
Fabaceae (leguminous plants)FabaceaeWild host
Gliricidia sepium (mother of cocoa)FabaceaeWild host
Mangifera indica (mango)AnacardiaceaeOther
Persea americana (avocado)LauraceaeMain
RubiaceaeRubiaceaeWild host
SolanaceaeSolanaceaeWild host
SterculiaceaeSterculiaceaeWild host
Theobroma cacao (cocoa)SterculiaceaeMain

Growth Stages

Top of pageFlowering stage, Fruiting stage, Seedling stage, Vegetative growing stage

List of Symptoms

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SignLife StagesType

Fruit

external feeding
honeydew or sooty mould

Growing point

external feeding

Inflorescence

external feeding
honeydew or sooty mould

Leaves

external feeding
honeydew or sooty mould
wilting

Stems

external feeding
honeydew or sooty mould

Whole plant

external feeding

Natural Enemies

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Natural enemyTypeLife stagesSpecificityReferencesBiological control inBiological control on
Acerophagus notativentrisParasiteGhanacocoa
Acerophagus pallidusParasiteGhanacocoa
Aenasius abengourouiParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Aenasius martiniiParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Anagyrus aurantifronsParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Anagyrus beneficiensParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Anagyrus fusciventrisParasiteGhanacocoa
Anagyrus pseudococciParasiteGhanacocoa
Anagyrus pullusParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Anagyrus sp. nr. kivuensisParasiteGhanacocoa
Arhopoideus peregrinusParasiteGhanacocoa
Arhopoideus pretiosusParasiteGhanacocoa
Blepyrus saccharicolaParasiteGhanacocoa
Bothriocraera bicolorParasiteGhanacocoa
Chalcaspis phenacocciGhanacocoa
Chilocorus angolensisPredatorAdults/NymphsGhanacocoa
Chrysoplatycerus splendensParasiteGhanacocoa
Clausenia spp.ParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Coccidoxenoides peregrinusParasiteGhanacocoa
Coccodiplosis coffeaePredatorAdults/Nymphs
Coccophagus gurneyiParasiteAdults/NymphsGhanacocoa
Exochomus flavipesPredatorAdults/NymphsGhanacocoa
Hambletonia pseudococcinnaParasiteGhanacocoa
Holcencyrtus myrmicoidesParasiteGhanacocoa
Leptomastix bifasciatusParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Leptomastix dactylopiiParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Platynaspis higginsiPredatorAdults/Nymphs
Pseudaphycus angelicusParasiteAdults/Nymphs
Pseudaphycus dysmicocciParasiteGhanacocoa
Pseudaphycus ferrisianaeParasiteGhanacocoa
Pseudaphycus mundusParasiteGhanacocoa
Scymnus binaevatusPredatorAdults/NymphsGhanacocoa
Scymnus quadrivittatusPredatorAdults/NymphsGhanacocoa
Scymnus sordidusPredatorAdults/NymphsGhanacocoa
Tetracnemoidea sydneyensisParasiteGhanacocoa
Tropidophryne melvilleiParasiteAdults/Nymphs

Plant Trade

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Plant parts liable to carry the pest in trade/transportPest stagesBorne internallyBorne externallyVisibility of pest or symptoms
Barkadults; nymphs; pupaeNoYesPest or symptoms not visible to the naked eye but usually visible under light microscope
Fruits (inc. pods)adults; nymphs; pupaeNoYesPest or symptoms not visible to the naked eye but usually visible under light microscope
Leavesadults; nymphs; pupaeNoYesPest or symptoms not visible to the naked eye but usually visible under light microscope
Seedlings, Micropropagated plantsnymphs; pupaeNoYesPest or symptoms not visible to the naked eye but usually visible under light microscope
Stems (above ground), Shoots, Trunks, Branchesadults; nymphs; pupaeNoYesPest or symptoms not visible to the naked eye but usually visible under light microscope
Plant parts not known to carry the pest in trade/transport
Bulbs, Tubers, Corms, Rhizomes
Flowers, Inflorescences, Cones, Calyx
Growing medium accompanying plants
Roots
True seeds (inc. grain)
Wood

References

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Ackonor JB, Mordjifa DK, 1999. Parasitism and predation in Planococcoides njalensis (Laing) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) on cacao in Ghana. Tropical Agriculture, 76(4):269-274; 20 ref.

Adomako D, 1990. A review of research work at CRIG with particular reference to its impact on the small farmer. Proceedings of the first farming Systems Workshop, 5-7 June 1990, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, Akim Tafo, Ghana, 5-13.

Afifi SA, 1968. Morphology and taxonomy of the adult males of the families Pseudococcidae and Eriococcidae (Homoptera: Coccoidea). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology Supplement, 13:1-210.

Anon., 1950. Introduction of parasites and predators. Report of the West African Cocoa Research Institute, 1948-1949, 66-67.

Anon., 1951. Biological control of mealybugs. Report of the West African Cocoa Research Institute, 1949-1950, 40-42.

Anon., 1952. Biological control of mealybugs. Report of the West African Cocoa Research Institute, 1950-1951, 40-44.

Armstrong KB, 1962. Mealybug studies. Report of the West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1960-1961, 38-39.

Armstrong KB, 1963. Mealybug studies. Report of the West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1961-1962, 28.

Ben-Dov Y, 1994. A Systematic Catalogue of the Mealybugs of the World. Andover, UK: Intercept Ltd, 397-400.

Bigger M, 1973. The insect survey on A11-Mealybug population cycle. Annual Report of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, 1971-72, 106-120.

Bigger M, 1981. The relative abundance of the mealybug vectors (Hemiptera: Coccidae and Pseudococcidae) of cocoa swollen shoot disease in Ghana. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 71(3):435-448

Bowman JS, Cassida JE, 1958. Systemic insecticides for theobroma cacao L., their translocation and persistence in foliage and residues in cocoa beans. Journal of Economic Entomology, 51:773-780.

Campbell CAM, 1983. The assessment of mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and other Homoptera on mature cocoa trees in Ghana. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 73(1):137-151

Cornwell PB, 1955. Mealybug studies. Report of the West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1954-1955, 45-48.

Cornwell PB, 1957. An investigation into the effects of cultural conditions on populations of vectors of virus diseases of cocoa in Ghana with an evaluation of seasonal population trends. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 48:375-396.

Cornwell PB, 1958. Movement of vectors of virus diseases of cacao in Ghana: I. Canopy movement in and between trees. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 49:613-630.

Cox JM, Freeston AC, 1985. Identification of mealybugs of the genus Planococcus (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) occurring on cacao throughout the world. Journal of Natural History, 19(4):719-728

De Lotto G, 1964. Observation on African mealybugs (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology, 143:341-397.

Decker FE, 1953. Introduction of exotic parasites. Report of West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1952-1953, 23.

Decker FE, 1954. Biological control of mealybugs. Report of West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1953-1954, 26.

Decker FE, 1955. Biological control of mealybugs. Report of West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1954-1955, 49.

Donald RG, 1953. Mealybug studies: introduction of exotic parasites Report of West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1952-1953, 23.

Donald RG, 1956. The natural enemies of some Pseudococcidae in the Gold Coast. Journal of West African Science Association, 2(1):48-60.

Donkor MA, Henderson CP, Jones AP, 1991. Survey to quantify adoption of CRIG recommendations. FSU Res. Paper 3, Cocoa Res., Inst. of Ghana, Internal discussion paper (unpublished).

Dunn E, Boafo EO, 1963. Mealybug studies. Report of West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1961-1962, 29.

Entwistle PF, 1958. The effects of formicidal spraying on mealybugs. Report of West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1956-1957, 39-40.

Entwistle PF, 1972. Pests of cocoa. London, UK: Longman, 779 pp.

EPPO, 2014. PQR database. Paris, France: European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. http://www.eppo.int/DATABASES/pqr/pqr.htm

Ezzat YM, McConnell HS, 1956. A classification of the mealybug tribe Planococcini (Pseudococcidae: Homoptera). Bulletin of the University of Maryland Agricultural Experimental Station, A-84:1-108.

Fennah RG, 1959. Nutritional factors associated with the development of mealybugs on cocoa. Annual Report of Cocoa Research Institute, Trinidad, 1957-1958. Trinidad: Cocoa Research Institute, 19-28.

Firempong S, 1976. Evaluation of four insecticides in the laboratory for their activity on the mealybug Planococcoides njalensis (Laing) (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae). Report of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, 1975-1976.

Hall WJ, 1945. The identity of a mealybug vector of swollen shoot virus disease of cocoa in West Africa. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 36:305-313.

Hannah AD, 1954. Research in the use of systemic insecticides to control the mealybug vectors of swollen shoot disease in cocoa. Phytiat-Phytophram, special issue: 426-432.

Hannah AD, Judenko E, Heatherington W, 1955. Systemic insecticides for the control of insects transmitting the swollen shoot virus disease of cocoa in the Gold Coast. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 46:669-710.

Henderson CP, Owusu GK, Jones AP, Padi B, 1994. The importance to cocoa research of understanding farmers rationale towards pest and disease control: with reference to capsid and black pod disease control in Ghana. Proceedings of the 11th International Cocoa Research Conference, 18th-24th July 1993, Yamoussoukro, La Cote d'Ivoire, 299-304.

James HC, 1937. Sex ratios and the status of the male Pseudococcinae. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 28:429-461.

Laing F, 1929. Description of a new, and some old, species of Coccoidea. Annual Magazine of Natural History, 4(10):465-501.

Laing F, 1944. A new and injurious mealybug from the Gold Coast. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 35:91-93.

Legg JT, Bonney JK, 1968. The host range and vector species of viruses from Cola chlamydantha K. Schum., Adansonia digitata L. and Theobroma cacao L. Annals of Applied Biology, 60:399-403.

Lodos N, Boafo EO, 1968. Studies of ants associated with mealybugs and virus vector investigations. Report of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, 1966-1967:38.

Magnin J, 1953. DTvelopment et mode de reproduction de Pseudococcoides njalensis Laing. Agron. Trop., Nogent, 8(3):292-299.

Mallamaire A, 1955. Les principaux insects foreurs des tiges rameaux ou stipes des plantes cultivTes dans l'ouest africain'. Bull prof. VTg., (1955), Dakar: 61-100.

Mapother HR, Nicol J, 1953. Mealybug studies. Report of West African Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana, 1950-1951, 40.

Neave S, 1996. The description of the male Planococcoides njalensis (Laing) (Homoptera: Pseudoccidae) found on Theobroma cacao in Ghana M.Sc. Thesis, Wye College (University of London).

Nicol J, 1953a. Progress of research on systemic insecticides at WACRI. Proceedings of the 4th Cocoa Conference, London, 98.

Nicol J, 1953b. The control of mealybug vectors of swollen shoot virus. Proceedings of the West African Cocoa Research Conference, 18-20.

Nicol J, Owen H, Strickland AH, 1950. Biological control of the mealybug vectors of swollen shoot virus of cocoa. Nature, 165:490.

Owusu-Manu E, 1975. The effects of insecticides used in the control of cocoa mirids on non-target organisms. In: Kumar R, ed. Proceedings of the 4th Conference of West African Cocoa Entomologists, Zoology Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana, 9th-13th December 1974. Zoology Department, University of Ghana. Legon Ghana, 114-118

Padi B, 1997. Parthenogenesis in mealybugs occurring on cocoa. Proceedings First International Cocoa Pests and Diseases Seminar, Accra, Ghana, 6-10 November, 1995., 242-248; 8 ref.

Padi B, 1997. Prospects for the control of cocoa mealybugs. Proceedings First International Cocoa Pests and Diseases Seminar, Accra, Ghana, 6-10 November, 1995., 249-263; 5 pp. of ref.

Padi B, 1999. Prospects for biological control of mealbugs. Paper presented at Integrated Pest management Workshop, Abokobi, Ghana, April 6-7 1999.

Padi B, Ackonor JB, Abitey MA, Owusu EB, Fofie A, Asante E, 2000a. Report on the insecticide use and residues in cocoa beans in Ghana. Internal Report submitted to the Ghana Cocoa Board.

Padi B, Ackonor JB, Hall D, Farman D, Downham m, Odour G, Lowor S, Owusu-Manu E, Adu-Ampomah Y, Sarfo JE, Adu-Acheampong R, Reich I, Adusei EO, 2000b. Recent advances in the development of an Integrated Pest Management strategy for the control of cocoa mirids and the mealybug vectors of cocoa swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD) in Ghana. Proceeding of the 13th International Cocoa Research Conference, 9-14 October 2000b, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (in press).

Padi B, Hollander Jden, 1996. Morphological variation in Planococcoides njalensis occurring on cocoa in Ghana. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 79(3):317-328; 22 ref.

Padi B, Owusu GK, Kumah NK, 1996. A record of Desplatsia dewevrei (De Wild & Th. Dur) (Tiliales: Tiliaceae) as an alternative and potential breeding host plant for the cocoa mirid Sahlbergella singularis Hagl. Proceedings of the 12th International Cocoa Research Conference, November 1996.

Pelley RH le, 1968. Pests of Coffee. London and Harlow, UK: Longmans, Green and Co Ltd.

Posnette AF, 1943. Control measures against swollen shoot virus disease of cocoa. Tropical Agriculture, 20:116-123.

Posnette AF, Robertson NF, 1950. Virus diseases of cocoa in West Africa. VI. Vector investigations. Annals of Applied Biology, 37:363-377.

Posnette AF, Strickland AH, 1948. Virus diseases of cacao in West Africa. III. Technique of insect transmission. Annals of Applied Biology, 35:53-63.

Posnette AF, Strickland AH, 1949. Parasitism of mealybug vectors of swollen shoot of cocoa. Nature, 163:105.

Roivainen OH, 1968. Control of ants with baits. Annual Report of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, 1966-1967: 38-39.

Rojter S, Bonney JK, Boafo EO, 1966. Mealybug studies. Biological control. Report of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, 1963-1965, 29.

Rojter S, Bonney JK, Legg JT, 1966. Investigations into the use of pathogenic fungus (Cephalosporium sp.) as a means of controlling the mealybug (Pseudococcidae) vectors of swollen shoot virus in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Science, 6:110.

Strickland AH, 1947. Coccids attacking cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in West Africa, with descriptions of five new species. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 38:497-523.

Strickland AH, 1950. The dispersal of Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera-Homoptera) by air currents in the Gold Coast. Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society, London, 25:1-9.

Strickland AH, 1951. The entomology of swollen shoot of cocoa. I. The insect species involved, with notes on their biology. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 41:725-748.

Strickland AH, 1951.The entomology of swollen shoot of cocoa. II. The bionomics and ecology of the species involved. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 42:64-103.

Sutherland JRG, 1953. Some observations on mealybugs infesting cacao in Western Region, Nigeria. Proc. West African International Cocoa Research Conference, 12th -16th December 1953, 90-94.

Vallauri M, 1998. Studies on biological control of cocoa mealybugs in Ghana using the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, M.Sc. Thesis, University of Florence.

Distribution Maps

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Distribution map Benin: Present
EPPO, 2014Congo: Present
Entwistle, 1972Côte d'Ivoire: Present
Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Cameroon: Present
Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Ghana: Present
Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Guinea: Present
Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Liberia: Present
Ezzat & McConnell, 1956; Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Nigeria: Present
Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Sierra Leone: Present
Laing, 1944; Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Senegal: Present
Cox & Freeston, 1985Sao Tome and Principe: Present
Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Togo: Present
Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Congo Democratic Republic: Present
EPPO, 2014
  • = Present, no further details
  • = Evidence of pathogen
  • = Widespread
  • = Last reported
  • = Localised
  • = Presence unconfirmed
  • = Confined and subject to quarantine
  • = See regional map for distribution within the country
  • = Occasional or few reports
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Distribution map (asia)
Distribution map (europe)
Distribution map (africa) Benin: Present
EPPO, 2014Congo: Present
Entwistle, 1972Côte d'Ivoire: Present
Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Cameroon: Present
Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Ghana: Present
Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Guinea: Present
Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Liberia: Present
Ezzat & McConnell, 1956; Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Nigeria: Present
Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Sierra Leone: Present
Laing, 1944; Entwistle, 1972; Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Senegal: Present
Cox & Freeston, 1985Sao Tome and Principe: Present
Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Togo: Present
Ben-Dov, 1994; EPPO, 2014Congo Democratic Republic: Present
EPPO, 2014
Distribution map (north america)
Distribution map (central america)
Distribution map (south america)
Distribution map (pacific)