Comparative development and reproduction of Planococcus ficus and Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on grapevine under field conditions

Mealybugs are major pests in grape-growing areas worldwide, causing direct and indirect crop damage. The vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) is a key pest in most of grape-producing countries, whereas the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) is reported as being destructive in Brazilian and Spanish vineyards. We examined the adaptation of the citrus mealybug to grapevine by investigating its development, reproduction and life-history parameters under Mediterranean field conditions in comparison with those of P. ficus. Both mealybug species developed and reproduced successfully on grapevine. However, P. ficus showed a shorter development time, larger female body size, and higher fecundity, fertility and survival than P. citri. The life-history parameters further highlighted the different growth potential of vine and citrus mealybug populations because P. ficus exhibited a net reproductive rate and an intrinsic rate of increase two- to four-fold higher than that of P. citri. Furthermore, the vine mealybug population doubled its number in approximately half time with respect to the citrus mealybug. Overall, the results of the present study show a better development and reproductive performance and a higher population growth potential of P. ficus compared with P. citri, indicating a higher capacity of the vine mealybug to develop on grapevine in Mediterranean vineyards.