MQ 3 - The super mealybug

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The Super Mealybug

Observations on a recently introduced mealy bug species: Hypogeococcus festerianus (Lyzer & Trellers)

by Andrea Cattabriga

MONDOCACTUS

QUADERNI

Titolo

MONDOCACTUS QUADERNI n. 3

Editorial

The Super Mealybug.

Observations on a recently introduced mealy bug species: Hypogeococcus festerianus (Lyzer & Trellers)

Dear reader,

by Andrea Cattabriga.

Text, drawings and pictures by the author.

Originally published on Piante Grasse, Vol XII, n° 4, Oct-Dec 1992 pp. 108-122.

Digital repring November 2014. www.mondocactus.com info@mondocactus.com

the series “Mondocactus notebooks” collects a renewed edition of the articles devoted to the succulent plants that I produced from 1983 until today.

The text of the articles was deliberately preserved in its original form, so any errors in grammar and concept have not been corrected. For this occasion was also produced this version of the English text, accessible by pressing the [EN] at the bottom right of each page. I apologize for the low quality of the translation, accomplished with the tools available on the internet, but its only purpose is to make the least understandable text to an international audience.

Reading the various items you can appreciate significant variations of the style adopted from time to time, due to both a gradual maturity of expression, and the need to adapt the article to the kind of publication in which it was intended, it was a magazine of an association of amateurs, or a commercial journal.

The purpose of this project is to integrate the general information available on the mondocactus website pages with free downloadable documents on specific topics.

This work is distributed under Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International.

2

good reading Andrea Cattabriga

The Super Mealybug.

Observations on a recently introduced mealy bug species: Hypogeococcus festerianus (Lyzer & Trellers) Introduction

In any ecosystem there are more or less simple relationships between all organisms that belong to it. Some of these reports are favorable, as is the case of the symbiosis between fungi and algae in the formation of lichens (in this case, in fact, the two organisms will benefit each other), others are indifferent because nobody gets a real benefit while others are unfavorable for at least one of the parts involved and the latter is the case of parasitism.

When parasitism develops in a natural contest exist opposing forces that tend to limit it (such as the existence of other predators, which in turn feed on the parasites); but when the parasites migrate or are made to migrate to new environments in their favor or in the absence of their natural predators their development is no longer limited and may spread to become difficult to control.

The trade of the plants has been and is still one of the main vehicles of spreading plant diseases.

Just think of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) or vine phylloxera (Phylloxera vastatrix), insects imported from the Americas, which caused huge disasters in the cultivation of these plants in Europe.

The import of exotic pests through succulents trade in particular is much more intense than you might suppose, and this comes from the fact that currently the plants in question come from many different countries.

This report aims to be a substantial contribution to limit the spread of a peculiar pest that only in 3 – La supercocciniglia

recent years has been in Europe and that, precisely because of its peculiarities, may apply to become one of the most important pests for these types of plants.

Generalities about the most common succulents’ parasites

Anyone who has a little experience with the cultivation of succulents knows the susceptibility of these plants against various parasites. Given the high water content, these plants are often attacked by predators thanks to special structures attached to the mouth and part of the buccal apparatus itself (biting and sucking mouthparts) can penetrate the epidermis of the plant to get to suck the sap from the underlying tissues. Among these bodies more insidious is worth mentioning the red spider mite (often the species Tetranychus urticae) which is a Arachnid order of Acari and far more dangerous Nematodes (Heterodora spp., Globodera spp.) that infest the roots producing small galls and can only be destroyed by heat.

Instead, the most common parasites and that can be controlled more easily are the various species of mealy bugs.

Succulent plants are attacked by these insects both at the level of the aerial part and the roots which evidence is their production of a thick waxy fluff that makes them waterproof. Some species produce a protective scale, which is also made up of wax.

Scale insects have always known in Europe. All

plant collectors have incurred battles, if not real wars, against such pests. To greatly limit the development of infestations may be sufficient an accurate treatment at the beginning and end of the growing season to be performed on all plants in the collection by distribution of specific chemical preparations. The occasional and localized treatments, i.e. carried out on individual plants that appear already infested creates a endemic condition, that is a constant presence of insects in various stages of development, which can become epidemic when conditions reach the optimum.

To date in Italy were reported as many as 16 species of exotic mealybug (Marotta, Garonne, 1991) related to succulents and probably introduced by the trade of the same (we attach the listing of these species separately).

Scale insects, however, are also represented by other species, some of which attack citrus fruits, grapes and other fruit; a species also has been the subject of farming in the past because of its drying was extracted a natural dye of considerable value, the red cochineal, used to dye clothing or colour for miniaturists. The species is native to the Americas (Mexico, Peru), but following his discovery the insect was imported by the Spaniards along with the plant, an opuntia, that hosts it in nature and brought up in the Canary Islands in secret. The name of this species is Dactylopius cacti (= Coccus cacti), but the market interest in this insect decreased when synthetic dyes were invented. Lately this natural pigment is returning to be interesting for the market and the breeding of cochineal is also being developed in South Africa. Today, in the Canary Islands Dactylopius cacti spread everywhere and live undisturbed on the opuntias that infest the uncultivated places.

Spread of H. festerianus in Italy and Europe

The warm climate of the Canary Islands has encouraged various European companies to produce exotic fruits (banana, mango, papaya, avocado, etc.) while in the horticultural industry only the cultivation of succulents has developed extensively. This resulted in a steady flow of imports of exotic plants from all tropical areas of the world and especially the arid areas. This has been helped even the use of the islands as a station of acclimatization of plants imported into Europe as early as’ 700 and the settlement of important collections of plants collected in habitats such as the great scholar of Cactaceae of South America, Ritter.

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Nursery in the Canaries, with specimens of Espostoa parasitized by H. festerianus

You can not know how the homoptera coccoidea pseudococcid Hypogeococcus festerianus arrived in the Canaries, but for sure you know that currently is widespread and that causes the most damage to crops of cacti in most nurseries.

The entrance of the insect in Italy however are easy to rebuild and must bind to the fact that in the last fifteen years has had a tremendous development of the collectors of succulents. This resulted in a strong demand for plants of a certain size that was answered with the import of specimens from the same Canary Islands. Among the many seedlings purchased there were probably several bearing Hypogeococcus festerianus, which has the effect of causing the plant attacked the deformation of the stems and the proliferation of shoots in an uncontrolled manner.

Following the introduction of H. festerianus in Italy (probably since the early ‘80s) the insect took office in some nurseries specialize in succulent, where it is checked by the use of pesticides but where is always still present with endemic infestations.

The spread is the beginning is nowadays is favored by the fact that the plants in the first stage of infestation maintain an active vegetation and appear very healthy, especially if imporate directly from the Canaries. The deformations are considered so natural and the plants are traded as special clumping varieties (especially plants that are normally solitary, as Astrophytum).

Reports on the presence of this insect will have to nurseries in Liguria, Campania, Sicily, Tuscany, Emilia, Lazio and Lombardy. recently has also been reported in the open country, the heliport of Naples (Marotta, pers. comm.) and in Sicily, in a highly

Lobivia aff. pentlandii used in the proof of infestation shortly before his death. Hypogeococcus was maintained for the first year only on the mass of propagules side, while in the second year also came on the tips of others shoots already on the plant and the vegetative apex of the same.

is blocked or distorted.

Laboratory studies has shown that the growth of the plant infested be blocked only at the point where the insect is present. If there is only one individual on the apex of a branch its growth is interrupted unilaterally, for which the branch curve at that point. If an entire colony settles on the apex of the same branch the growth is blocked completely.

The observations of Dr. BENNETT relate to other local species of cacti infested by this insect such Cleistocactus baumannii L. and Harrisia (Eriocereus) bonplandii Parm.

Following the insect was studied by McFayden of the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control of Tucuman, Argentina, who found that the insect was specialized in the infestation of several species in the Cereaneae subtribe and planned a intervention of biological control on the cactus Harrisia martinii Lab. in Queensland, Australia by introducing Hypogeococcus festerianus. This project was approved and the liberation of the insect was performed on a

weed, on the aboveground and belowground Cereus spp. reared outdoor or in a cold greenhouse (LONGO MAROTTA Russo Tranfaglia, 1989).

Outside the presence of the insect has been found in some nurseries in Germany and Austria.

Natural origin of H. festerianus

Hypogeococcus festerianus was first described in 1942 by as Pedronia festeriana Lizer and Trellers who gathered in Argentina, near Mendoza on Cereus aethiops Haw. In March 1972 the insect was picked up again

by Dr. H. ZIMMERMANN and Dr. FD BENNETT of tge Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control on branches of Harrisia (Eriocereus) martinii in Argentina, Prov. Formosa, and sent to Dr. Williams of the British Museum (Natural History) in London, who arranged to study it and rename it as Hypogeococcus festerianus. The same author in the determination of the new combination in 1973 glimpsed the possibility of use of such insect as biological control against some species of Cactaceae that become weeds, as Hypogeococcus seemed parasitize only some genera of this family.

In particular, the damage caused by this parasite on Harrisia martinii in nature are summed so (McFayden, 1979): H. festerianus not cause immediate damage to the tissues of the host plant even when present in dense colonies, while the development of the branches whose apexes are infested 5 – La supercocciniglia

This Cleistocactus margaretanus presents an infestation to about 2/3 of its height. When the plant was purchased the stem was still growing, but the presence of the parasite has blocked its normal distention at the point of infestation to which the axis is curved conspicuously. Following H. festerianus infested even the apex of the plant completely blocking its growth.

Two young plants of Cereus peruvianus infested simultaneously. The specimen highest suffered an attack while the second plant apical side. The stem of the two plants is presented bend at the base, probably not related to the presence of the insect infestation before but because the pot was not placed on a floor. Following infestation plants no longer have shown the ability to return to the upright position. The second plant later suffered an attack of rot developed between proliferation that caused the death.

massive scale in 1974. At that time Hypogeococcus had been reported on Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus Web., C. aethiops Haw., Monvillea spegazzinii Web., M. sp. in various parts of Argentina (the provinces of Chaco, Formosa, Mendoza and Tucuman) and in the Chaco of Paraguay (McFayden, 1979).

Observations in the field have not shown the presence of other cacti spread in his ark of natural distribution, such as the various species of Opuntia and even less on other plant species not cacti.

From careful laboratory tests it was found instead that the insect can lead life, even if short, on a portulacacea, Portulaca oleracea L.; in this case have not been reported the deformations mentioned for Eriocereus martinii and females are much less productive.

In nature Hypogeococcus is looted from various insects, such as the following wasps that attack immature females: Anagyrus sp., Anagyrtis sp. nr. pseudococci (Girault), Signiphora sp. and two undetermined Encirtides; by Coleoptera Coccinellidae Hyperaspidius trimaculatus (L.), Diomus sp. and Diptera Cecidomide Kalodiplosis floridiana Felt. Labora6 – La supercocciniglia

tory studies have shown that a colony of Hypogeococcus festerianus although preyed upon by one of indeterminate encirtides continued to grow until the entire plant was covered with insects. Best result showed the use of cecidomide K. floridiana which quickly extinguished H. festerianus.

Recognition of cochineal

Collecting mature specimens of Hypogeococcus and normal woolly mealy bugs and immersing them in alcohol in a glass tube is possible to distinguish some differences with the naked eye. Normal mealy bug is generally more voluminous and gray just pale rose. The species we deal instead is pink to reddish vinous and remains small in size. Moreover, the behavior of the two species are different, as the normal cochineal settles especially in depressions of a plant, such as the slots between the ribs, between the tubercles, the base of the fruit or at the point of contact of two neighboring plants. The deforming cochineal instead is localized on the areolae of all Cactaceae, and those present along the stem but especially at the apex of the plants because the

in favorable conditions (20-30 ° C) hatch after 20 minutes; in dissected mature females were counted 80-100 eggs. Females produce protective wax in which, if it were made possible by external causes, remain hidden throughout their lives; males moving in the outer parts of proliferations, where they spin cylindrical whitish small shelters where they remain to spend the last post-embryonic period before becoming adults.

The juvenile phase is completed in 28-30 days, the lives of adults is about 60 days to 10 days for the female and the male. In cold weather the insect does not go into stasis (diapause) but continues to develop, although slowed.

The study of the insect

Branches of × Epiphyllum. The insect is protected within the convolutions of the stem.

young nymphs are characterized by positive phototropism (move toward light) and negative geotropism (move upwards). The genus name refers to the behavior of other species (Hypogeococcus barbarae Rau, H. othnius Miller & McKenzie, H. spinosus Ferris) who prefer to infest the apparatus underground plant. The production of shoots takes place in the same areolas object of infestation, and after the proliferation, the insect migrates within the mass of shoots to find protection.

The insect, such as the common mealy bug winters in colonies protected by small woolly cocoons not necessarily on the plant; indeed it is possible to find these cocoons under the pots, on pallets in a shaded or soil if undertaken gravels porous like lava red, in which the insect lurks inside the crevices.

The casing that protects Hypogeococcus was found to be much more robust and consistency almost paper, presumably effective protection that nullifies the action of pesticides.

In the laboratory, the insect has presented three neanidal ages in females and 4 males. Furthermore it was observed as adults are able to move actively in search of new sites (in contrast to what happens in the other scale insects). The eggs are laid for a period ranging from one month to year-round if heated greenhouse. Are laid 24 eggs a day, which 7 – La supercocciniglia

In the summer of 1991 we personally found an infestation of remarkable proportions in a large succulents nursery. So it was that we found an opportunity to deepen our knowledge of this parasite. One of infested plants was purchased and placed under observation in isolation. Meanwhile we arranged to extend the research on the presence of this insect in other nurseries. The same year it was decided to conduct a study on the insect, which is reported here.

In the summer of 1992, we again went to the nursery above to acquire other specimens of cacti of different genera to assess any differences in morphogenetic alterations. In autumn 1992 by these populations of cochineal we got male specimens. We tried to determine the species of the insect and thus we became aware of the fact that the scale insect had already been the subject of study by Dr. S. MAROTTA and A.P. GARONNA University of Potenza since 1988 and reported in Italy since 1986 in greenhouses on the Italian Riviera (SUSS & TREMATERRA, cit. By MAROTTA, 1991) with the name Hypogeococcus festerianus. The Same MAROTTA has subsequently verified the likely belonging to the species of the insect Hypogeococcus pungens (Granara) (Marotta, pers. Comm.). Followed exchanges of material and information with Dr. MAROTTA which allowed us to verify the conclusions obtained from our observations.

Aim of the study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the real responsibility for Hypogeococcus fesierianus (Lyzer & Trellers) in alterations of morphogenesis and development observed in specimens of Cactaceae haunted by it. In addition, to compare the extent and type of deformation that causes the same in-

On this Ferocactus wislizeni the cochineal caused the production of sprouts in individual areoles next to the plant apex. Following one of the branches has developed a beginning of fasciation (crest).

In the case of this Melocactus applies the previous example; the growth of sprouts has closed the vegetative apex, which growth was alredy stopped for some time and which houses a large colony of insects.

sect species in Cactaceae very distant both phyloge- Method netic both in their distribution.

Evidence of infestation: the group of Backebergia militaris was divided and the five portions were Materials grafted on as many Myrtillocactus geometrizans. A For evidence of infestation, a small population of portion of the infested plant has been preserved the cochineal was obtained through the purchase separately while the five grafts were treated repeaof a portion of an infested cactus species Backe- tedly with different insecticides, until the cochineal bergia militaris in summer of 1991. The plant was has not been completely eliminated. presented with a slight alteration, consisting in the Scale insects preserved by the treatment have formation of a head of five branches and resulted in been used to infest another cactus, Lobivia pentonly slightly infested areolas baseline. landii. To this end it was followed by two methods: A specimen of Lobivia (L. aff. pentlandii Britton & 1. Direct transport of adults over the host of the Rose) was used as the first guest. cochineal, at various points of the same.

The breeding of the parasite was carried out in 2. Through direct positioning of the portion of inheated greenhouse with temperatures at night winfested plant on guest. ter of +7 ° C. Observations on the plant infested Lobivia pentFor comments on the alterations inflicted on va- landii have followed continuously for the following rious species of cacti, a group of plants of diffe- two years, until the death of the same. rent species were purchased in 1992 from the same nursery. The state of morphological alteration in Results of observations these specimens was already advanced. The species affected by these observations were: Cleistocactus Evidence of infestation margaretanus, Pilosocereus palmeri (Rose) Byl & The plants of Backebergia militaris grafted, folRowley, Espostoa lanata (HBK) Br. & Rose, Cereus lowing the disappearance of the total parasite are peruvianus (L.) Mill., Melocactus sp., Ferocactus wi- back to develop in the normal manner, without proslizenii (Eng.) Br. & Rose, Lobivia pentlandii (Hook.) liferation (the species is in fact characterized by a Br. & Rose, Gymnocalycium baldianum (Speg.) Speg., development cereiforme up to a solitary old age, in Astrophytum myriostigma L. Leuchtenbergia principis which occurs the spontaneous production of branHook., Mammillaria aff. scrippsiana Br. & Rose. ches side, but which are never produced in large A plant of × Epiphyllum sp. was haunted by ac- groups). cident from the first colony of H. festerianus grown The first attempt of the infestation, which is to in the greenhouse; Also this specimen was added to transport individuals adults on the plant gave negathe previous. tive results and saw the scale insects perish before they could settle on the plant. The second method 8 – La supercocciniglia

has yielded positive results leading to the infestation of the host plant following the spontaneous migration of the parasite from the portion of infested plant in dehydration and the guest.

The infestation is determined by the migration of pests in particular points of the host plant, which consists wholly in the areolas, the base of the spine. Areolae infested preference were found to be both those positioned at a height of about 2/3 of the plant, and those around the apex of the same.

The infestation, determined in the summer months was followed immediately by a morphological alteration in the development of the host plant, consisting in the immediate proliferation of a side branch of the normal plant.

In the following period were observed the following phenomena: Each areola at the apex of this branch has produced a new secondary bud. Each of these sub-branches, just come to differentiate the areolas again has proliferated in tertiary ramifications.

Some secondary and tertiary branches have changed into flowers.

The base of infested branch has developed a dense mass of adventitious roots.

The activity of growth was apparently slowed the entry into the host plant dormant during the winter.

The temperature at which the plant was maintained was night from a minimum of +5 °C to a maximum of +10 °C in the coldest period. Occasionally the temperature had sags up to 5 °C (three days, consecutively).

The spring vegetative growth was followed by the recovery of the modification of the plant affected by the morphogenetic infestation and intense proliferation of the parasite that later migrated to other parts of the plant, such as the vegetative apex of a second branch normal and the apex vegetative main plant.

At the end of August the infestation has been accompanied by rotting that resulted in the death of the whole plant.

Comparisons between infestations of different plant species

Specimen of Espostoa ritteri infested by the mealy bug in a European nursery. Among the proliferations has developed a crested branch.

the nymphs that can originate new nuclei of infestation or remain on the main mass of shoots.

Often this mass undergoes degeneration, it will develop outbreaks of rot that spread also to the main branch.

Melocactus, Ferocactus - are usually attacked the areolas at the vegetative apex; thereupon, superiorly to the plugs and simultaneously in each

Hildewinteria, Pilosocereus, Espostoa, Cereus - massive development of buds at the apex of the plant or along the stem generally in the upper half of the same, usually followed by the distortion of the branch at the point of infestation.

When infestation commonly develops a single large mass of shoots which are protecting the females; secondarily from that core infestation spread Infestation of H. festerianus on Melocactus matanzanus.

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deformed and bulky, but they retain the red color and the typical plumpness.

The section of a fruit made in August took over as observed in the plant the seeds have not finished developing normally, but have been allowed to vegetate trophic strengthening relations with the mother plant and are developed completely in green seedlings. In the fall of many fruits have ended up tearing letting out the proliferation of shoots. The removal of a fruit has been made possible only with the use of a razor blade and was followed by a loss copious latex; the result was presented with the very swollen base. Several fruits that have not torn or that they torn in part shown the development of individual shoots, emerging directly from within floral residues. This phenomenon could be explained easily if you were sitting in front of cacti as the oldest Opuntioideae in which fruits you can origiareola, develop sprouts single or multiple youthful nate new shoots. The Mammillarias as other kinds appearance, the vegetative apex of the latter are newer usually do not show such a primitive chasecondarily infected, and in turn give rise to se- racter; However, the example suggests that even in condary branches, etc. Sometimes the branches give these plants is kept the presence of latent buds on fasciation (crests).

Lobivia, Gymnocalycium, Astrophytum - are attacked all the areolas and the development of secondary proliferations can occur at any level of the plant, but generally the proliferation remains numerically lower. Often initially differentiated flower buds (equipped with scales basal) differ trunk or vice versa. When the final development ends in flower it is considerably reduced in size. Were not seen the fruits of these plants.

Many specimens of Astrophytum myriostigma infested were offered on the market from various merchants, often bearing even the insect. The journal of the German association of amateur was published a photo of one of these plants, but where it is presented as a particular variety (GRUNERT H., 1990).

Leuchtenbergia - The infestation occurs primarily at the apex of the tubercles and is followed by the production of sprouts, one to many (at least 5).

The plants proliferating were offered on the market by some traders as particular varieties.

Mammillaria - Probably the most horrifying example of morphological alteration.

Longitudinal section of one of the fruits of In the present case mammillaria observed, proba- mammillaria: in the center appear small masses of bly Mammillaria scrippsiana, was noted only at the shoots differentiated from the initial seeds. Probably level of the infestation areolas axillary tubercles, the seedlings derive their nourishment from the bearing fruit in the course of maturation. The plant intensification of embryonic lymphatic vascular system, has no proliferation at the level of areolas apical tu- as it can be assumed by the presence of latex in the bercles. The development of the fruits instead was tissue of the fruit itself. Pictured is best highlighted the strongly altered. development of a seedling apex of the fruit, in the center The fruits are resistant to the touch, strangely of the floral residues.

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fruit, even if only a strong stimulation such as that develop abundant formations of adventitious produced by H. festerianus can stimulate them. roots at their base.

Epiphyllum - The infested plant, a hybrid Epiphyl- 3. Modification of the differentiation of the gems lum, presented infestations especially on apical in development: especially for species globular buds and those at the base of the stem. They obserbuds appearing already well differentiated floved two behaviors: wer secondarily differ stem and vice versa.

1. When attacked the apical buds the stem grows 4. Alterations of the fruit: the presence of H. festrongly curving its axis, so that it forms a tight sterianus at the base of the fruits of Mammilinner curve in which lurks the cochineal. laria led to a sort of live birth, with induction 2. When the buds are infested basal forms an axis to the vegetation of the seedlings during their very shortened and strongly proliferating shoots embryonic stage. There has thus determined always directed downwards. The cochineal is loseed formation, but the development is concalized below this formation. tinued until the mixture secondarily seedlings emerging from the fruits after tearing the same Conclusions and contracting trophic relationships with the In conclusion, based on the observations reported mother plant. and the inspections obtained from the publications 5. Stunted growth: all plants in which we obserconsulted is believed that the parasite studied is ved the infestation of the vegetative showed the direct cause of the deformities caused on host the complete closure of the development of the plants. Any other factor that may be considered sesame axis, the consequence of which seems to condary conveyed dall’insetto in host plants to debe a more boost production of side shoots. termine the observed malformations, such as bacteOther species of plants grown attached dall’insetria or viruses, it is considered unlikely. to and reported in the bibliography consulted (Suss, Cochineal in question is not the only parasite TREMATERRA, 1986) are: Espostoa melanostele Vpl., that causes deformations in the plant that attacks. E. ritteri Buin., Echinopsis sp., Parody sp., NotocacSome aphids (Eriosoma lanigerum) determine these tus leninghausii Haage Jr., Weberbauerocereus windisorders, while others (Diptera, Hymenoptera and terianus Ritter.

Hemiptera) are able to cause the plant producing galls with regular shapes that serve as the insect to Tips for controlling lay the eggs.

Hypogeococcus festerianus The phenomenon is caused by the production by the parasite for a particular substance (probably an General enzyme) that is injected into the plant together The first action to be taken to limit the spread of with the salivary fluids. This substance interacts the insect would be to limit the introduction by the with the tissues of the plant, causing an abnormal refusal of plants imported from abroad on which we production of regulatory substances or disorganized note the heavily presence of the insect. growth that subsequently determine alterations in The treatments to be made for its removal should the normal morphogenetic processes. provide the flaring of the plants, the elimination of Alterations inflicted by H. festerianus we obser- the shoots or to reduce them to allow the display of ved are varied: any colonies or individuals in order to make them 1. Spatial development of the stem: the stem of hidden then treatments anticoccidials on the whole the plants of columnar or sliding, it is thin up plant. The potting soil should be kept separate from to 0.51 cm (Epiphyllum) both with a diameter the cultivation, treated with chemicals or incineof 5 cm (Cleistocactus) presents growth arrest in rated if made of peat, never reused as such. If the point of infestation that causes the twist of axis colonies are already present on these pots should until it assumed spiral shape. be removed or thoroughly disinfected before reuse.

2. Production of sprouts: secondarily to the block It is important to act immediately as the ability of development in columnar plants or directly in to proliferate is very high and the nymphs in mispherical plants the first engagement point from gration have reduced dimensions so easily escape place to the production of shoots in large num- observation. bers; sprouts have juvenile characters (bristly Generally it is not recommended to continue the spines). Following this phenomenon can arise cultivation of seedlings on a pallet. crests. Voluminous masses of shoots can also The new seedlings, so healthy, are kept isolated 11 – La supercocciniglia

from the infested material that is to be gradually eliminated by avoiding its distribution with the sale.

Heavy infestations that occur in specialized nurseries are very difficult to control and can be more cost-effective destruction by incineration, completely avoiding their spread in soils, rivers or any other open environment, as it is not clear whether this species has a chance to adapt to parasitize other plants while it is determined that resists temperatures of our climates.

grafting followed by shearing do not give a production so rapid and high. It is necessary to control the parasite in a careful, to prevent its migration on the single main seedling and to contain the development.

The danger of the insect against the other plants in culture should be considered carefully when you decide to raise it for purposes related to the one above; in particular it should be very well isolation of the plants with water barriers, guards to prevent the transport of nymphs through the wind, the contact of the specimens with any other plant pests The chemical control even short-term as well as the allocation albeit The pest that seems to have given the best results short of infested plants on shelves or trays in which was the one conducted with the use of Aldicarb are located or will be located other healthy plants. granular formulation to 4.75% of active substance (as), distributing approximately 3.54 g / m2 and Annex 1: other exotic insects para-pellets with a dose of about 5.7 g to 5450 cm3 In Italy have been reported many other species of of air (within a bell jar) and Dimethoate for a period cochineal from warm countries, probably not only of one week. These treatments have been effective associated with the import of succulent plants but for most individuals protected. also of exotic fruits; of the 14 mentioned here, at The use of D.D.V.P. and white mineral oil (80%) least 13 have been reported only for the region: of 2% with cypermethrin (10%) to 0.1% was effecFam. Pseudococcidae: Delottococcus euphorbiae tive only on nymphs exposed (SÜSS, TREMATERRA, (Ezzat & McConnell), Planococcus citri (Risso), 1986).

Pseudococcus affinis (Maskell), Rhizoecus cacticans (Hambleton), Spilococcus mammillariae (Bouchè), Biological control Vryburgia rimariae Tranfaglia (often this species inVarious species of insects prey on H. festerianus in fests stapelie and mesembs); Fam. Coccoidae: CocSouth America, as mentioned previously. At this cus hesperidium L., Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi point, however, one may wonder whether the in- (Vallot), Saissetia oleae (Olivier); Fam. Eriococcitroduction of new predators to control this pest is dae: Eriococcus cactearum Leonardi, Ovalicoccus a practice reliable or whether it does not agree to agavium (Douglas); Fam. Diaspididae: Diaspis echiconsider that the insect comes naturally plundered nocacii (Bouchè), Abgrallaspis cyanophylli (Signoby others already on our territory. Among the pests ret). Two species of the most recent reporting are available you can groped fight with Anagyrus sp. nr. Eriococcus coccineus (Cockerell) and Selenaspidus pseudococci (Girault). albus (McKenzie).

The use of H. festerianus in the practice of vegetative propagation of cacti

Given the large capacity of this insect in inducing the production of myriad shoots think is immediate as the insect can be applied in the propagation of the species which are rare and poorly accestanti course. The attempt made by us to infest a copy of grafted Aztekiuni ritteri failed while there has been a slight infestation borne its rootstock, a Myrtillocactus geometrizans in October of 1992. In the case of Backebergia militaris, previously reported, the infestation has resulted in various seedlings from a single plant, which after thorough disinfection and graft have perfectly healthy specimens of this species in danger of extinction.

Other methods of vegetative propagation such as 12 – La supercocciniglia

Final remarks

The draft biological control of McFayden (see paragraph: Source Natural H. festerianus) is not the first to be applied on cacti pests in Australia; already years before it was introduced in that country a moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) with the specific intent to limit the spread of a species of Opuntia first introduced and then got out of hand and become weeds. Then the experiment was a great success and is still considered the first experiment of biological successfully conducted in the history of farming practices, and often cited as an example.

In regard to Hypogeococcus festerianus, you can not recognize that its use has been followed by a remarkable success in the control of cactus host Harrisia martinii, however it is also clear that those

responsible for its spread outside of its range had no idea of ability to adapt to the many other insect species of cacti exist on the American continent, as they could not believe that the extent of marketing of cacti in the world is such that any country on earth can be passive subject import of this parasite, in first sight so similar to other insects less dangerous and already well known by the common collectors and growers succulent. It is hoped that on its way to the richer countries of species of cacti Hypogeococcus are many natural predators are able to limit its spread, otherwise in a few decades, its presence is paleserà sadly in most of the natural areas of spread of cacti in America.

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Dr. POLLINI Observatory of plant diseases of Bologna, Prof. M. MARINI Institute of Zoology and Professor MAINI Institute of Agricultural Entomology, both of the University of Bologna, for the help allotted in the procurement of library materials; also extend a special thanks to Dr. S. MAROTTA’s Dip. Biol. Defense and Biotechnology Agroforestry Potenza for giving me the use of his publications and his first-hand information and finally my friend Roberto MANGANI for his willingness to provide personal observations and documentary material.

13 – La supercocciniglia

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LONGO S., MAROTTA S., Russo A., TRANFAGLIA A. (1989) «Contributo alla conoscenza della coccidofauna (Hornoptera, Coccoidea) della Sicilia con la descrizione di una nuova specie». Entomologica, XXIV Bari; pp. 163179 MAROTTA S., GARONNA P. (1991) « Homoptera Coccoidea: nuovi e poco conosciuti parassiti delle piante grasse in Italia». Atti XVI Cong. naz. Entomol. BariMartina Franca; pp. 741746.

McFAYDEN R.E. (1979) «The cactus mealybug, Hypogeococcus festerianus (Hem.: Pseudococcidae) an agent for the biological control of Eriocereus martinii (Cactaceae) in Australia» Entomophaga, 24 (3); pp. 281 287.

Suss L., TREMATERRA P. (1986) « Hypogeococcus festerianus (Lyzer & Trellers) (Homoptera; Coccoidea) nocivo alle cactaceae ornamentali in Liguria» Inf. Fit., 10; pp. 4346.

TRANFAGLIA A. (1981) «Studi sugli Homoptera Coccoidea» Boll. Lab. Ent. Agr. Portici, Napoli; pp. 328.

WILLIAMs D.J. (1973) «Two Cact us feeding Mealybugs from Argentina (Hornoptera, Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae)» Bull. Ent. Res. 62; pp. 565570.