Phenacoccus gossypiiTownsend & Cockerell,P. madeirensisGreen and some related mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract

AbstractThe identity ofPhenacoccus gossypiiTownsend & Cockerell is established as a local species in Mexico and southern USA. AlthoughP. madeirensisGreen was described from Madeira and is recorded from much of the African mainland, it was probably introduced from tropical America. It is now known to be common on many crop and ornamental plants in North and South America where it has often been mistaken forP. gossypii. Both species are redescribed and illustrated, and their range of variation is discussed.P. grenadensisGreen & Laing andP. harbisoniPeterson are synonymized withP. madeirensis. A related species,P. baccharidissp. n., is described from Brazil, andP. sphaeralceaesp. n. is described from Arizona.P. hurdiMcKenzie is redescribed and is now recorded from an extensive area in southern USA and Mexico. All five species have numerous dorsal multilocular pores and are included in a key to 15 related species in North and South America.