Abstract

The Citrus mealybug Planococcus citri has a wide geographical distribution and has been described as a pest of economic importance in several crops. The present work determined the developmental and biological aspects of the Citrus mealybug in order to obtain information that may support the integrated pest management (IPM) of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Syrah in the Lower Basin of the São Francisco Valley region. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Entomology of Embrapa Semiarid, Petrolina-PE, on leaves of grapevine kept in a controlled environment (25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% R. H. and a photoperiod of 12L:12D). The first two instars had higher mortality, indicating high susceptibility in these nymphal periods. The overall nymphal period of females and males is similar at 22.52 ± 0.46 and 23.5 ± 0.29 days, respectively, with viability of 39%. The adult longevity of females is nearly 30 times greater than that of males, indicating that females of P. citri are mainly responsible for damage and injury to grapevine. The sex ratio was 0.64, indicating that females make up the majority of the adult population of P. citri. We conclude that the species in question completes its lifecycle on leaves of grapevine and reaches the adult phase in a short time interval.

Key words: Mealybugs, life cycle, grape.