Plant Protection (Scientific Journal of Agriculture)

Plant Protection (Scientific Journal of Agriculture)

Population dynamics of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hem: Pseudococcidae) and its natural enemies on Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) in urban landscapes of Dezful, Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran

Document Type : Research paper-English

Authors
1 M.Sc. Graduate of Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Entomology, Department of plant protection, College of Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Date Palm and Tropical Fruits Research Center, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, is an invasive pest posing a serious threat to agricultural and ornamental plants, including Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). The two-year (2016 & 2017) study examined the population dynamics and ecological interactions of P. solenopsis as well as its natural enemies in the urban landscape of Dezful, southwestern Iran. Biweekly sampling was performed to record population changes across developmental stages. Natural enemies—Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (parasitoid wasp), Nephus arcuatus Kapur and Hyperaspis polita Weise (predatory beetles), and Dicrodiplosis manihoti Harris (predatory fly) were also monitored. According to the results, P. solenopsis became active in March, with population peaks in early summer (from late June to early July) and early autumn (October). Natural enemies followed a similar pattern, appearing shortly following pest emergence and playing a key role in population suppression. Temperature had a significant positive correlation with both mealybug and natural enemy populations, while relative humidity indicated a negative effect. Field observations confirmed that during extreme summer temperatures, the pest retreated to protected areas within the plant canopy, while in winter, it overwintered mainly as first-instar nymphs and adult females in bark crevices as well as soil. The findings highlight the importance of seasonal monitoring and the conservation of natural enemies for effective integrated pest management (IPM) in urban horticulture. This study provides essential ecological insights into the behavior of P. solenopsis along with its biological control agents in a subtropical urban environment.
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