Newly available Pherobank product, pheromone lure for Pseudococcus viburni

Pseudococcus viburni

English name: Obscure mealybug

Pseudococcus viburni is a cosmopolitan species which is thought to originate from South America. Due to some taxonomic confusion, both its origin and geographical distribution remain difficult to establish with certainty. It is currently considered that P. viburni belongs to the 'Pseudococcus maritimus complex', and that Dactylopius affinis, P. affinis, P. capensis, P. indicus, P. latipes, P. longispinus var. latipes, P. malacearum, P. nicotianae, P. obscurus are all synonyms for the same species.

The insect is polyphagous and can be found on most parts of its hosts including the main roots, fruit, leaves, stems, and under bark crevices. It attacks economically important crops such as: apple, pear, citrus, grapevine, pomegranate, stone fruit, strawberry, tomato, walnut but also on ornamental plants. In vineyards, P. viburni has been shown to transmit viruses. It is generally considered as a minor pest but in some cases, control measures are necessary.

Figure 1. Pheromone of Pseudococcus viburni

The female pheromone of Pseudococcus viburni has been identified by the group of Millar in 2005 as (1R,2R,3S)-(2,3,4,4-tetramethylcyclopentyl)methyl acetate (Figure 1),

(https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10886-005-9320-0)

Our chemists have synthesized the pheromone and ready-for-use lures are now available from Pherobank.

For more information about this insect please see:

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/PSECOB
https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.45080

• Pseudococcus viburni pheromone lure, Pherobank article #: 50402
• only available as pheromone lures