Ocorrência de Planococcus minor Maskell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em algodoeiro no nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The mealybug Planococcus minor Maskell is a significant pest of more than 250 cultivated plants belonging to at least 80 families. Among the host plants several Malvaceae species are attacked, including the genera Gossypium. In 2005 and 2006 the mealybug P. minor was observed infesting cotton fields in the arid area of northeast region of Brazil. The occurrence was registered in high densities and in several farms resulting in mortality of plants in some cases. This species is not cited as a cotton pest in any region of Brazil where cotton grows, although it is enlisted in the Global Pest and Disease Database. Hence, there is a lack of studies what makes this pest of great deal to control.