Register now for this free webinar!

Hibiscus Mealybug Management in Citrus

Thursday, May 19, 2022
11:00 AM-12:00 PM (Pacific Time)
optional discussion period to 12:00-12:30 PM

In this webinar learn about:

• strategies for management of the hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis
• monitoring and scouting methods
• potential conservation and augmentation biological control
• targeted insecticide use, and possible need for sanitation protocols

Hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a highly invasive and important pest of a wide variety of agricultural and horticultural crops growing in tropical and subtropical regions of the world including citrus, avocados, soybeans, cotton, and ornamentals. N. viridis is a known pest of citrus in the Middle East, Mediterranean, Southern Africa, and other citrus producing regions worldwide. In Florida, N. viridis was recently documented developing on dodder plant, Cuscuta exaltata Engelm, a parasitic plant native to Asia, growing on tallow wood, Ximenia Americana L., in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, in November 2009. Since then, this pest has moved into commercial citrus production in Florida. Feeding by N. viridis stunts the growth of young citrus trees and can cause death under heavy infestations. Therefore, incorporating effective IPM programs for N. viridis in citrus is needed moving forward.

Lauren Diepenbrock, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology and Entomology Extension Specialist (PD), UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center Her primary research is focused on citrus arthropod pest ecology and development/evaluation of integrated pest management (IPM) programs for arthropod pests in citrus. She is PD or Co-PI on several field-based arthropod management projects. Her extension program delivers information on arthropod pests of citrus and their management. Diepenbrock’s lab is the first to work with hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis, as a pest of a specialty crop in North America.  learn more about Lauren

Continuing Education Units:

• California Dept. of Pesticide Regulations: 1.0 Other (applied for)

• Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services: 1.0 Regulatory Pest Management (applied for)

Contact: UC ANR Program Support, Kate Lyn Sutherland (530) 750-1361 (messages only)