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Mealybugs of the genus Rhizoecus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on African violets (Saintpaulia spp.), with a description of a new species from Thailand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

D. J. Williams
D. J. Williams
Affiliation:
Commonwealth Institute of Entomology, c/o British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
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Abstract

Four species of hypogeic mealybugs are known to infest African violets (Saintpaulia spp.). These are Rhizoecus americanus (Hambleton), R. cacticans (Hambleton), R. dianthi Green and R. saintpauliae sp. n. The last species has some striking characters and is described here from specimens from S. ionantha in a nursery in Thailand. None of these species is known to occur on plants in their natural habitat, the mountainous areas of Kenya and Tanzania, where the survival of most of the 20 species of Saintpaulia is threatened. Although infestations of R. dianthi on African violets may be severe, the mealybugs only affect these and other potted plants in the extensive horticultural trade. A key is provided to separate the four species.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 75 , Issue 4 , December 1985 , pp. 621 - 624
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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