Effect of host plant species on key life history traits of hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead)

Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive pest known to cause devastating damage to citrus in regions where it establishes. N. viridis is highly polyphagous and several commercially grown horticultural and ornamental plants in Florida are known hosts of N. viridis. As a recent invader, there is no information available on the biology of N. viridis on citrus and non-citrus host species under Florida’s climatic conditions. Therefore, we investigated the effect of several commercially grown citrus varieties and non-citrus hosts in Florida on the development time, longevity, fecundity, and survival of N. viridis under laboratory conditions. Understanding the life-history traits of N. viridis on multiple available and potential susceptible host species will be important to developing successful management programs for this highly polyphagous pest.