Nipaecoccus nipae (spiked mealybug)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- Risk of Introduction
- Hosts/Species Affected
- Host Plants and Other Plants Affected
- Growth Stages
- Symptoms
- List of Symptoms/Signs
- Biology and Ecology
- Natural enemies
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Impact
- Detection and Inspection
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- References
- Distribution Maps
Don't need the entire report?
Generate a print friendly version containing only the sections you need.
Generate reportIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell, 1893)
Preferred Common Name
- spiked mealybug
Other Scientific Names
- Ceroputo nipae (Maskell), Lindinger, 1904
- Dactylopius dubia Maxwell-Lefroy, 1903
- Dactylopius nipae Maskell, 1893
- Dactylopius pseudonipae Cockerell, 1897
- Nipaecoccus pseudonipae (Cockerell), Beardsley, 1960
- Pseudococcus magnoliae Hambleton, 1935
- Pseudococcus nipae (Maskell), Cockerell, 1902
- Pseudococcus pseudonipae (Cockerell), Fernald, 1903
- Ripersia nipae (Maskell), Gómez-Menor Ortega
- Ripersia serrata Tinsley, 1900
- Trechocorys nipae (Maskell), Kirkaldy, 1904
International Common Names
- English: avocado mealybug; buff coconut mealybug; coconut mealybug; nipa mealybug; sugarapple mealybug
- Spanish: chinche harinosa del cocotero; piojo harinoso (Mexico)
- French: cochenille du cocotier
Local Common Names
- Netherlands: Palmwolluis
- South Africa: palm wolluis
EPPO code
- NIPANI (Nipaecoccus nipae)
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Metazoa
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Uniramia
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hemiptera
- Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
- Unknown: Coccoidea
- Family: Pseudococcidae
- Genus: Nipaecoccus
- Species: Nipaecoccus nipae
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageDescription
Top of pageAuthoritative identification of N. nipae involves detailed microscopic examination of slide-mounted, teneral, adult females by a competent taxonomist. For detailed morphological descriptions of the adult female, illustrations and keys to the species of Nipaecoccus that occur in North America see Ferris (1950) and McKenzie (1967), for those in Central and South America see Williams and Granara de Willink (1992) and for those in Australia see Williams (1985). Beardsley (1960) has described the morphology of the adult male.
Distribution
Top of pageThe collection at The Natural History Museum, London, UK contains numerous samples of Nipaecoccus from southern Asia, particularly India; all of them are N. viridis and not N. nipae. On the basis of the coverage by Williams (2004), and the absence of supporting specimens, the records of N. nipae from southern Asia are regarded as of questionable accuracy and are not included in the recent distribution map by CABI/EPPO (2005).
A tentative record for Australia (Williams, 1985), has not been included in CABI/EPPO (2005).
In northern and central Europe, including the UK, N. nipae is found in glasshouses, particularly in botanical gardens, and does not appear to occur in the open. It is therefore recorded as occasionally present in this region. In South Africa, N. nipae is mostly found in glasshouses, but is occasionally found in the open around Durban (CABI/EPPO, 2005).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe 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.
Last updated: 10 Feb 2022Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Africa |
|||||||
Algeria | Present | ||||||
Madagascar | Present | ||||||
Morocco | Present | ||||||
South Africa | Present | ||||||
Zimbabwe | Present | ||||||
Asia |
|||||||
Bangladesh | Absent, Unconfirmed presence record(s) | ||||||
China | Present | ||||||
-Fujian | Present | ||||||
-Guangxi | Present | ||||||
-Hainan | Present | ||||||
Georgia | Present | ||||||
India | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Bihar | Absent, Unconfirmed presence record(s) | ||||||
-Kerala | Present | ||||||
-Tamil Nadu | Absent, Unconfirmed presence record(s) | ||||||
-West Bengal | Absent, Unconfirmed presence record(s) | ||||||
Indonesia | Present | ||||||
-Java | Present | ||||||
Pakistan | Absent, Unconfirmed presence record(s) | ||||||
Philippines | Present | Invasive | |||||
South Korea | Present | ||||||
Thailand | Absent, Unconfirmed presence record(s) | ||||||
Turkey | Present | ||||||
Vietnam | Absent, Unconfirmed presence record(s) | ||||||
Europe |
|||||||
Austria | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
Belgium | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
Czechia | Present | Introduced | 1944 | ||||
Czechoslovakia | Present | ||||||
France | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
Germany | Present | Introduced | First reported: <1952 | ||||
Hungary | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
Italy | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
-Sicily | Present | Introduced | 1950 | ||||
Poland | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
Portugal | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
-Madeira | Present | Introduced | 1997 | ||||
Russia | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
-Central Russia | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
-Russia (Europe) | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
Spain | Present | ||||||
-Canary Islands | Present | ||||||
United Kingdom | Present, Few occurrences | ||||||
North America |
|||||||
Antigua and Barbuda | Present | ||||||
Bahamas | Present | ||||||
Barbados | Present | ||||||
Belize | Present | ||||||
Bermuda | Present | ||||||
British Virgin Islands | Present | ||||||
Cayman Islands | Present | ||||||
Costa Rica | Present | ||||||
Cuba | Present | ||||||
Dominica | Present | ||||||
Dominican Republic | Present | ||||||
El Salvador | Present | ||||||
Grenada | Present | ||||||
Guadeloupe | Present | ||||||
Guatemala | Present | ||||||
Jamaica | Present | ||||||
Martinique | Present | ||||||
Mexico | Present | ||||||
Nicaragua | Present | ||||||
Panama | Present | ||||||
Puerto Rico | Present | ||||||
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Present | ||||||
Saint Lucia | Present | ||||||
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Present | ||||||
Trinidad and Tobago | Present, Widespread | ||||||
U.S. Virgin Islands | Present | ||||||
United States | Present | Introduced | 1897 | ||||
-California | Present | ||||||
-Florida | Present | ||||||
-Hawaii | Present, Widespread | ||||||
-Louisiana | Present | ||||||
Oceania |
|||||||
Federated States of Micronesia | Present | ||||||
Fiji | Present | Original citation: Hodgson and |
|||||
Guam | Present | ||||||
Samoa | Present | ||||||
South America |
|||||||
Argentina | Present | ||||||
Brazil | Present | ||||||
-Parana | Present | ||||||
-Rio de Janeiro | Present | ||||||
-Sao Paulo | Present | ||||||
Colombia | Present | ||||||
Ecuador | Present | ||||||
Guyana | Present | ||||||
Peru | Present | ||||||
Suriname | Present | ||||||
Venezuela | Present |
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageHosts/Species Affected
Top of pageHost Plants and Other Plants Affected
Top of pageSymptoms
Top of pageList of Symptoms/Signs
Top of pageSign | Life Stages | Type |
---|---|---|
Fruit / external feeding | ||
Fruit / honeydew or sooty mould | ||
Growing point / external feeding | ||
Leaves / abnormal colours | ||
Leaves / honeydew or sooty mould | ||
Leaves / honeydew or sooty mould | ||
Stems / external feeding |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageNatural enemies
Top of pageNatural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anagyrus dactylopii | Parasite | Arthropods|Nymphs | ||||
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri | Predator | Adults; Arthropods|Nymphs | Bermuda; Puerto Rico; St Kitts Nevis | Annona; Arecaceae; avocados; Cocos nucifera; Erythrina; guavas | ||
Curinus caeruleus | Predator | Adults; Arthropods|Nymphs | ||||
Curinus coeruleus | Predator | Adults; Arthropods|Nymphs | Hawaii | avocados | ||
Hyperaspis jucunda | Predator | Adults; Arthropods|Nymphs | St Kitts Nevis | Annona; avocados; Cocos nucifera | ||
Hyperaspis silvestri | Predator | Adults; Arthropods|Nymphs | ||||
Hyperaspis silvestrii | Predator | Adults; Arthropods|Nymphs | Hawaii | avocados | ||
Mallada basalis | Predator | |||||
Pseudaphycus utilis | Parasite | Arthropods|Nymphs | Bermuda; Hawaii; Puerto Rico; St Kitts Nevis | Annona; Arecaceae; avocados; Cocos nucifera; Erythrina; guavas | ||
Pseudiastata nebulosa | Predator | Adults; Arthropods|Nymphs | Hawaii | avocados | ||
Scymnus binaevatus | Predator | Adults; Arthropods|Nymphs | Bermuda | Annona; Arecaceae; avocados; guavas | ||
Zarhopalus clavatus | Parasite | Arthropods|Nymphs |
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageImpact
Top of pageDetection and Inspection
Top of pageSimilarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageN. nipae, in contrast, has fewer ventral multilocular pores and they are confined to the last four abdominal segments. It also has a distinct dorsal cephalic cluster of conical setae above the base of each antenna and is rarely, if ever, found on a coniferous host.
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Chemical ControlIn Hawaii, the efficacy of a series of methods were evaluated as post-harvest treatments to eliminate N. nipae, along with other mealybugs, scale insects and aphids, from tropical cut flowers and foliage before shipment. A series of insecticidal dips were tested and the most effective was found to be a combination dip for at least 5 minutes in an insecticidal soap composed of potassium salts of fatty acids with fluvalinate (Hansen et al., 1992a). Vapour heat treatment was found to kill mealybug adults and nymphs after 1 hour at 46.6°C; and nymphs were killed after 2 hours at 45.2°C (Hansen et al., 1992b). Hydrogen cyanide fumigation treatment was found to kill N. nipae nymphs on palms (Hansen et al., 1991).
Infestations of N. nipae were eliminated in coconut plantations by chemically controlling Azteca ants which maintained and protected the mealybug colonies (Raj, 1977).
Biological Control
Bartlett (1978) records successful biological control of N. nipae in Hawaii by Pseudaphycus utilis. In Puerto Rico some improvement was reported following the introduction of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, but good control was later obtained with the establishment of P. utilis (Bartlett, 1978).
References
Top of pageAPPPC, 1987. Insect pests of economic significance affecting major crops of the countries in Asia and the Pacific region. Technical Document No. 135. Bangkok, Thailand: Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific region (RAPA).
Bartlett BR, 1978. Pseudococcidae. In: Clausen CP, ed. Introduced Parasites and Predators of Arthropod Pests and Weeds: a World Review. Agriculture Handbook No. 480, 137-170.
Beardsley JW, 1960. A preliminary study of the males of some Hawaiian mealybugs (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society, 17:199-243.
CIE, 1966. Distribution Maps of Pests, Series A, No. 220. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
Williams DJ, 1985. Australian mealybugs. London, UK; British Museum (Natural History), 431 pp.
Williams DJ, 2004. Mealybugs of Southern Asia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Southdene SDN, 442-445.
Distribution References
APPPC, 1987. Insect pests of economic significance affecting major crops of the countries in Asia and the Pacific region. In: Technical Document No. 135, Bangkok, Thailand: Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific region (RAPA).
CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status inferred from regional distribution. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated b. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Distribution Maps
Top of pageSelect a dataset
Map Legends
-
CABI Summary Records
Map Filters
Unsupported Web Browser:
One or more of the features that are needed to show you the maps functionality are not available in the web browser that you are using.
Please consider upgrading your browser to the latest version or installing a new browser.
More information about modern web browsers can be found at http://browsehappy.com/