Ahmed Lab

A taxonomic key to mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) of Florida, United States

Search Within Mealybug Key

Mealybug Species List

Mealybug Species Included in This Key

Published by Ahmed et al. (2025)

  1. Antonina graminis (Maskell, 1897)
  2. Antonina pretiosa Ferris, 1953
  3. Antoninoides nortoni (Parrott & Cockerell, 1899)
  4. Antoninoides parrotti (Cockerell, 1903)
  5. Brevennia rehi (Lindinger, 1943)
  6. Chaetococcus bambusae (Maskell, 1893)
  7. Chnaurococcus trifolii (Forbes, 1885)
  8. Chorizococcus rostellum (Lobdell, 1930)
  9. Crisicoccus taxodii Kosztarab, 1996
  10. Delottococcus confusus (De Lotto, 1977)
  11. Distichlicoccus species Ferris, 1950
  12. Dysmicoccus boninsis (Kuwana, 1909)
  13. Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1893)
  14. Dysmicoccus difficilis (Lobdell, 1930)
  15. Dysmicoccus diodium (McConnell, 1941)
  16. Dysmicoccus grassii (Leonardi, 1913)
  17. Dysmicoccus mackenziei Beardsley, 1965
  18. Dysmicoccus milleri Kosztarab, 1996
  19. Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley, 1959
  20. Dysmicoccus radinovskyi Miller & Miller, 2002
  21. Dysmicoccus texensis (Tinsley, 1900)
  22. Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockerell, 1896)
  23. Ferrisia gilli Gullan, 2003
  24. Ferrisia malvastra (McDaniel, 1962)
  25. Ferrisia quaintancii (Tinsley, 1898)
  26. Ferrisia uzinuri Kaydan & Gullan, 2012
  27. Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell, 1893)
  28. Heterococcus raui Miller, 1975
  29. Hypogeococcus hamoni Miller, 1983
  30. Hypogeococcus margaretae Miller, 1983
  31. Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink, 1981
  32. Leptococcus eugeniae (Miller & Denno, 1977)
  33. Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908)
  34. Miscanthicoccus miscanthi (Takahashi, 1928)
  35. Nipaecoccus floridensis Beardsley, 2001
  36. Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell, 1893)
  37. Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead, 1894)
  38. Oracella acuta (Lobdell, 1930)
  39. Palmicultor browni (Williams, 1960)
  40. Palmicultor lumpurensis (Takahashi, 1951)
  41. Palmicultor palmarum (Ehrhorn, 1916)
  42. Paracoccus gillianae von Ellenrieder & Stocks, 2014
  43. Paracoccus herreni Williams & Granara de Willink, 1992
  44. Paracoccus juniperi (Ehrhorn, 1906)
  45. Paracoccus lycopersici Ezzat & McConnell, 1956
  46. Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, 1992
  47. Paradoxococcus mcdanieli McKenzie, 1962
  48. Paraputo olivaceus (Cockerell, 1896)
  49. Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, 1923
  50. Phenacoccus miruku Tanaka & Choi, 2022
  51. Phenacoccus multicerarii Granara de Willink, 2007
  52. Phenacoccus parvus Morrison, 1924
  53. Phenacoccus solani Ferris, 1918
  54. Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, 1898
  55. Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813)
  56. Planococcus minor (Maskell, 1897)
  57. Pseudantonina species Green, 1922
  58. Pseudococcus bryberia Gimpel & Miller, 1996
  59. Pseudococcus dendrobiorum Williams, 1985
  60. Pseudococcus dolichomelos Gimpel & Miller, 1996
  61. Pseudococcus elisae Borchsenius, 1947
  62. Pseudococcus importatus McKenzie, 1960
  63. Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller, 1996
  64. Pseudococcus landoi (Balachowsky, 1959)
  65. Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti, 1867)
  66. Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn, 1900)
  67. Pseudococcus microcirculus McKenzie, 1960
  68. Pseudococcus nakaharai Gimpel & Miller, 1996
  69. Pseudococcus odermatti Miller & Williams, 1997
  70. Pseudococcus sorghiellus (Forbes, 1885)
  71. Pseudococcus spanocera Gimpel & Miller, 1996
  72. Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret, 1875)
  73. Pseudoferrisia floridana (Ferris, 1953)
  74. Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell, 1895)
  75. Spilococcus mamillariae (Bouché, 1844)
  76. Stemmatomerinx acircula Howell & Miller, 1976
  77. Stemmatomerinx adenticulata Howell & Miller, 1976
  78. Syrmococcus spirapuncta (Lobdell, 1930)
  79. Tridiscus species Ferris, 1950
  80. Trionymus species Berg, 1899
  81. Vryburgia amaryllidis (Bouché, 1837)
  82. Vryburgia brevicruris (McKenzie, 1960)
  83. Vryburgia trionymoides (De Lotto, 1961)

* These four genera contain undescribed species found in Florida.

** These 12 species and three genera key out at two places in the key.

*** These genera include species that key out at two different locations.

**** Pseudantonina includes undescribed species and keys only to genus.

Generalized Mealybug Morphology

Figure 1: Morphological Structures of Pseudococcidae

Mealybug Morphology Figure

Clickable Dichotomous Mealybug Key

1.

1A. Cerarii present
Go to 10
1B. Cerarii absent
Go to 2

2(1).

2A. Antennae 1–2 segmented
Go to 3
2B. Antennae 4–7 segmented
Go to 6

3(2).

3A. Abdomen without sclerotized plates
Go to 4
3B. Abdomen with sclerotized plates
Antonina pretiosa Ferris

4(3).

4A. Anal ring invaginated, dorsal multilocular pores absent
Go to 5
4B. Anal ring not invaginated, dorsal multilocular pores present
Antoninoides nortoni (Parrott & Cockerell)

5(4).

5A. Without compact group of duct-like pores behind posterior spiracles; ventral multilocular pores present on all abdominal segments
Antonina graminis (Maskell)
5B. With compact group of duct-like pores behind posterior spiracles; ventral multilocular pores restricted to posterior 2 or 3 abdominal segments
Chaetococcus bambusae (Maskell)

6(2).

6A. Antennae geniculate; often with tri- or bitubular cerores (i.e., tri- or bitubular pores or ducts)
Rhizoecidae#
6B. Antennae not geniculate; without tri- or bitubular cerores (i.e., tri- or bitubular pores or ducts)
Go to 7 (Pseudococcidae)

7(6).

7A. Without circulus
Go to 8
7B. With circulus
Go to 9

8(7).

8A. Coxa not enlarged, without translucent pores
Antoninoides parrotti (Cockerell)
8B. Coxa enlarged, with translucent pores
Pseudantonina Green (in part)

9(7).

9A. With pores in spiracular atrium
Syrmococcus spirapuncta (Lobdell)
9B. Without pores in spiracular atrium
Tridiscus Ferris (in part)

10(1).

10A. Number of cerarii fewer than 10 pairs
Go to 11
10B. Number of cerarii 10 pairs or more
Go to 46

11(10).

11A. With oral-rim tubular ducts (excluding Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts)
Go to 12
11B. Without oral-rim tubular ducts
Go to 22

12(11).

12A. Antennae 9 segmented
Go to 13
12B. Antennae with fewer than 9 segments
Go to 14

13(12).

13A. With denticle on claw; with 2 pairs of cerarii
Vryburgia trionymoides (De Lotto)
13B. Without denticle on claw; with more than 2 pairs of cerarii
Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green)

14(12).

14A. With more than 5 multilocular pores on venter
Go to 15
14B. Without or with fewer than 5 multilocular pores on venter
Go to 21

15(14).

15A. Translucent pores present on hind coxa
Go to 16
15B. Translucent pores absent from hind coxa
Go to 20

16(15).

16A. With translucent pores on hind tibia
Go to 17
16B. Without translucent pores on hind tibia
Chorizococcus rostellum (Lobdell)

17(16).

17A. Claw denticle absent; translucent pores scattered on hind tibia
Go to 18
17B. Claw denticle present; translucent pores in tight cluster on hind tibia
Spilococcus mamillariae (Bouché) (in part)

18(17).

18A. With fewer than 10 ventral oral-rim tubular ducts in medial and mediolateral area of thorax
Go to 19
18B. With 10 or more ventral oral-rim tubular ducts in medial and mediolateral area of thorax
Paracoccus gillianae von Ellenrieder & Stocks (in part)

19(18).

19A. With oral-rim tubular ducts on dorsum
Paracoccus lycopersici Ezzat & McConnell
19B. Without oral-rim tubular ducts on dorsum
Paracoccus juniperi (Ehrhorn) (in part)

20(15).

20A. Dorsal multilocular pores present; legs comparatively short and stout
Vryburgia brevicruris (McKenzie)
20B. Dorsal multilocular pores absent; legs comparatively large
Vryburgia amaryllidis (Bouché)

21(14).

21A. Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts present; anal-lobe cerarius with more than 2 conical setae
Pseudoferrisia floridana (Ferris)
21B. Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts absent; anal-lobe cerarius with 2 conical setae
Distichlicoccus Ferris

22(11).

22A. With 4 or fewer pairs of cerarii
Go to 23
22B. With more than 4 pairs of cerarii
Go to 39

23(22).

23A. With Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts
Go to 24
23B. Without Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts
Go to 28

24(23).

24A. Anterior ostiole absent
Go to 25
24B. Anterior ostiole present
Go to 26

25(24).

25A. Less than 10 Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts; without oral-collar tubular ducts along ventral margin
Ferrisia quaintancii (Tinsley) (in part)
25B. More than 10 Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts; with oral-collar tubular ducts along ventral margin
Ferrisia gilli Gullan

26(24).

26A. Multilocular pores present on abdominal segment VI
Go to 27
26B. Multilocular pores absent from abdominal segment VI
Ferrisia malvastra (McDaniel)

27(26).

27A. Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts with discoidal pores touching orifice of duct opening; non-Ferrisia type oral-collar tubular ducts often with discoidal pores associated with opening
Ferrisia uzinuri Kaydan & Gullan
27B. With the following combinations of characters distinguishing Ferrisia dasylirii and Ferrisia virgata (see comparison table below)
Character Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockerell) Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell)
Discoidal pores associated with Ferrisia-type oral-collar tubular ducts Protruding from sclerotized margin of duct opening Not protruding; located in mid-area of sclerotization
Multilocular pores on abdominal segment VI Usually fewer than 15 Usually more than 15
Translucent pores on hind coxa Absent Present
General diagnostic impression Reduced pore counts; more protruding discoidal pores More abundant pores; discoidal pores internal to margin

28(23).

28A. With circulus
Go to 29
28B. Without circulus
Go to 34

29(28).

29A. With 1 circulus
Go to 31
29B. With more than 1 circulus
Go to 30

30(29).

30A. Spiracles narrow and elongate
Tridiscus Ferris (in part)
30B. Spiracles broadly oval
Miscanthicoccus miscanthi (Takahashi)

31(29).

31A. With minute circular pores on derm surrounding each hind coxa
Go to 32
31B. Without minute circular pores on derm surrounding each hind coxa
Go to 33

32(31).

32A. With 1 pair of cerarii
Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell)
32B. With 2 or more pairs of cerarii
Palmicultor lumpurensis (Takahashi) (in part)

33(31).

33A. Anterior pair of ostioles absent; body rotund; typically on Rhus L.
Ferrisia quaintancii (Tinsley) (in part)
33B. Anterior pair of ostioles present; body usually elongate; typically on grasses
Trionymus Berg (in part)

34(28).

34A. With quinquelocular pores
Go to 35
34B. Without quinquelocular pores
Go to 36

35(34).

35A. Translucent pores absent from hind coxa; antennae 6 or 7 segmented
Brevennia rehi (Lindinger)
35B. Translucent pores present on hind coxa; antennae 9 segmented
Heterococcus raui Miller

36(34).

36A. Without anal bar
Go to 37
36B. With anal bar
Crisicoccus taxodii Kosztarab

37(36).

37A. Coxa typical or slightly enlarged; without pores in atrium of spiracles
Go to 38
37B. With one or both of the following: coxa greatly enlarged; pores in atrium of spiracle
Pseudantonina Green (in part)

38(37).

38A. Body elongate; typically on grasses
Trionymus Berg (in part)
38B. Body rotund; typically not on grasses
Chnaurococcus trifolii (Forbes)

39(22).

39A. Without trilocular pores
Go to 40 (Hypogeococcus)
39B. With trilocular pores
Go to 42

40(39).

40A. With 1 circulus
Go to 41
40B. With 2 or 3 circuli
Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink

41(40).

41A. Setae on hind femur conical; some dorsal setae enlarged
Hypogeococcus margaretae Miller
41B. Setae on hind femur hair-like; dorsal setae not enlarged
Hypogeococcus hamoni Miller

42(39).

42A. Without conspicuous row of large ventral oral-collar tubular ducts on abdominal segment V; with circulus
Go to 43
42B. With conspicuous row of large ventral oral-collar tubular ducts on abdominal segment V; without circulus
Paradoxococcus mcdanieli McKenzie

43(42).

43A. Dorsal oral-collar tubular ducts absent
Go to 44
43B. Dorsal oral-collar tubular ducts present
Go to 45

44(43).

44A. Multilocular pores absent from dorsum; more than 2 conical setae in cerarii
Dysmicoccus difficilis (Lobdell) (in part)
44B. Multilocular pores present on dorsum; 2 conical setae in cerarii
Oracella acuta (Lobdell)

45(43).

45A. With minute circular pores on derm surrounding each hind coxa
Palmicultor lumpurensis (Takahashi) (in part)
45B. Without minute circular pores on derm surrounding each hind coxa
Dysmicoccus boninsis (Kuwana)

46(10).

46A. Without minute circular pores on derm surrounding each hind coxa
Go to 47
46B. With minute circular pores on derm surrounding each hind coxa
Go to 48

47(46).

47A. With auxiliary setae in cerarii anterior to anal-lobe cerarius
Go to 49
47B. Without auxiliary setae in cerarii anterior to anal-lobe cerarius
Go to 76

48(46).

48A. Usually more than 3 conical setae in anal-lobe cerarius; antennae usually 6 segmented, rarely 7 segmented
Palmicultor palmarum (Ehrhorn)
48B. Usually 2, rarely 3, conical setae in anal-lobe cerarius; antennae 7 or 8 segmented
Palmicultor browni (Williams)

49(47).

49A. With oral-rim tubular ducts
Go to 50
49B. Without oral-rim tubular ducts
Go to 65

50(49).

50A. Antennae with less than 9 segments; never with 16 pairs of cerarii
Go to 51
50B. Antennae 9 segmented; with 16 pairs of cerarii
Leptococcus eugeniae (Miller & Denno)

51(50).

51A. Multilocular pores restricted to vulvar area
Go to 52
51B. Multilocular pores not restricted to vulvar area
Go to 53

52(51).

52A. With more than 1 oral-rim tubular duct associated with each abdominal cerarius; anal-lobe and penultimate cerarii heavily sclerotized
Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti)
52B. With 0–1 oral-rim tubular duct associated with each abdominal cerarius; anal-lobe cerarius heavily sclerotized, penultimate cerarius not heavily sclerotized
Pseudococcus dendrobiorum Williams

53(51).

53A. Translucent pores present on hind coxa
Go to 54
53B. Translucent pores absent from hind coxa
Go to 56

54(53).

54A. With 17 pairs of cerarii; oral-rim tubular ducts on dorsal submargin between cerarii 15 and 16 present or absent; dorsal oral-rim tubular ducts usually present near cerarii, mediolaterally and medially on abdominal segments (3–34 oral-rim tubular ducts on dorsum)
Go to 55
54B. With fewer than 17 pairs of cerarii; oral-rim tubular ducts on dorsal submargin between cerarii 15 and 16 (or their positions) absent; dorsal oral-rim tubular ducts usually present near cerarii, restricted to submargin, rarely present mediolaterally and medially on abdominal segments (0–13 oral-rim tubular ducts on dorsum)
Pseudococcus spanocera Gimpel & Miller

55(54).

55A. Total length of hind femur, tibia and tarsus less than 485 μm; antennae less than 365 μm in length; with relatively smaller circulus (31–87 μm in width)
Pseudococcus sorghiellus (Forbes)
55B. Total length of hind femur, tibia and tarsus more than 485 μm; antennae more than 365 μm in length; with relatively larger circulus (59–111 μm in width)
Pseudococcus dolichomelos Gimpel & Miller

56(53).

56A. Translucent pores present on hind tibia, absent from hind femur
Go to 57
56B. Translucent pores present on hind tibia and femur
Go to 60

57(56).

57A. Dorsal oral-collar tubular ducts absent; dorsal multilocular pores absent; hind tibia not swollen mesally; circulus ≤ 126 μm wide
Go to 58
57B. Dorsal oral-collar tubular ducts present; dorsal multilocular pores usually present (numbering 0–5); hind tibia swollen mesally; circulus ≥ 148 μm wide
Pseudococcus nakaharai Gimpel & Miller

58(57).

58A. Circulus large (75–126 μm wide); 4–21 ventral oral-collar tubular ducts mesad of cerarius 12
Go to 59
58B. Circulus small (22–74 μm wide); 0–3 ventral oral-collar tubular ducts mesad of cerarius 12
Pseudococcus microcirculus McKenzie

59(58).

59A. Oral-rim tubular duct(s) present near frontal cerarius (c17); with 0–5 discoidal pores in membranous area around each eye
Pseudococcus importatus McKenzie
59B. Oral-rim tubular duct(s) absent near frontal cerarius (c17); with 6–11 discoidal pores in sclerotized rim around each eye
Pseudococcus landoi (Balachowsky)

60(56).

60A. Discoidal pores present near eye, with discoidal pores associated with eye in sclerotized rim
Go to 61
60B. Discoidal pores absent near eye, or with discoidal pores associated with eye not in sclerotized rim
Go to 62

61(60).

61A. With combination of at least two of following characters: with 1–13 dorsal oral-rim tubular ducts on abdomen; more than 20 multilocular pores on abdominal segment IV; small rim associated with marginal oral-collar tubular ducts on thorax
Pseudococcus elisae Borchsenius
61B. With combination of at least two of following characters: with 14–27 dorsal oral-rim tubular ducts on abdomen; less than 15 multilocular pores on abdominal segment IV; no rim associated with marginal oral-collar tubular ducts on thorax
Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller

62(60).

62A. Without oral-rim tubular ducts on submargin between cerarii 15 and 16
Go to 63
62B. With oral-rim tubular ducts on submargin between cerarii 15 and 16
Go to 64

63(62).

63A. Discoidal pores near eye absent; small dorsal oral-collar tubular ducts present on meso- and/or metathorax in medial and mediolateral areas
Pseudococcus odermatti Miller & Williams
63B. Discoidal pores near eye present; without dorsal oral-collar tubular ducts
Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret)

64(62).

64A. With 0–2 ventral oral-collar tubular ducts on each side of head; with 2–11 ventral oral-collar tubular ducts mesad of cerarius 12
Pseudococcus bryberia Gimpel & Miller
64B. With 3–25 ventral oral-collar tubular ducts on each side of head; with 10–25 ventral oral-collar tubular ducts mesad of cerarius 12
Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn)

65(49).

65A. Majority of abdominal cerarii with 2 conical setae
Go to 66
65B. Majority of abdominal cerarii with more than 2 conical setae
Go to 73

66(65).

66A. Setae on dorsum of abdominal segment VIII about as long as other dorsal setae
Go to 67
66B. Cluster of setae on dorsum of abdominal segment VIII conspicuously longer than other dorsal setae
Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (in part)

67(66).

67A. With more than 10 ventral oral-collar tubular ducts on margin and submargin of thorax
Go to 68
67B. Without oral-collar tubular ducts on margin and submargin of thorax or with less than 10
Go to 69

68(67).

68A. Without circulus, with 16 pairs of cerarii; without translucent pores on hind femur
Dysmicoccus milleri Kosztarab
68B. With circulus, with 17 pairs of cerarii; with translucent pores on hind femur
Dysmicoccus grassii (Leonardi)

69(67).

69A. With circulus
Go to 70
69B. Without circulus
Go to 72

70(69).

70A. Some dorsal setae conical; with less than 17 pairs of cerarii
Go to 71
70B. Dorsal setae hair-like; with 17 pairs of cerarii
Dysmicoccus texensis (Tinsley)

71(70).

71A. With 100 or more multilocular pores; cerarian setae separated by less than length of conical seta
Nipaecoccus floridensis Beardsley (in part)
71B. With 50 or fewer multilocular pores; cerarian setae separated by more than length of conical seta
Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) (in part)

72(69).

72A. With 9-segmented antennae
Dysmicoccus radinovskyi Miller & Miller
72B. With 8 or fewer antennal segments
Dysmicoccus diodium (McConnell)

73(65).

73A. Translucent pores absent from hind coxa
Go to 74
73B. Translucent pores present on hind coxa
Dysmicoccus mackenziei Beardsley

74(73).

74A. With 17 pairs of cerarii
Go to 75
74B. With less than 17 pairs of cerarii
Dysmicoccus difficilis (Lobdell) (in part)

75(73).

75A. Cluster of setae on dorsum of abdominal segment VIII conspicuously longer than other dorsal setae
Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (in part)
75B. Setae on dorsum of abdominal segment VIII about as long as other dorsal setae
Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley

76(47).

76A. With Stemmatomerinx-type truncate setae on dorsum
Go to 77
76B. Without Stemmatomerinx-type truncate setae on dorsum
Go to 78

77(76).

77A. Without denticle on claw; with circulus
Stemmatomerinx adenticulata Howell & Miller
77B. With denticle on claw; without circulus
Stemmatomerinx acircula Howell & Miller

78(76).

78A. With dorsal multilocular pores
Go to 79
78B. Without dorsal multilocular pores
Go to 81

79(78).

79A. Dorsal multilocular pores in row across some abdominal segments
Go to 80
79B. Dorsal multilocular pores restricted to body margin
Phenacoccus miruku Tanaka & Choi (in part)

80(79).

80A. Quinquelocular pores absent on venter
Phenacoccus multicerarii Granara de Willink
80B. Quinquelocular pores present on venter
Phenacoccus madeirensis Green

81(78).

81A. Quinquelocular pores present on venter
Go to 82
81B. Quinquelocular pores absent on venter
Go to 83

82(81).

82A. Ventral multilocular pores absent from body margin
Phenacoccus parvus Morrison
82B. Ventral multilocular pores present near body margin
Phenacoccus miruku Tanaka & Choi (in part)

83(81).

83A. With anal bar
Go to 84
83B. Without anal bar
Go to 91

84(83).

84A. Oral-rim tubular ducts present near some abdominal cerarii (sometimes ventral only)
Go to 85
84B. Oral-rim tubular ducts absent
Go to 90

85(84).

85A. With translucent pores on hind tibia
Go to 86
85B. Without translucent pores on hind tibia
Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink

86(85).

86A. With translucent pores on hind coxa
Go to 87
86B. Without translucent pores on hind coxa
Delottococcus confusus (De Lotto) (in part)

87(86).

87A. With fewer than 10 ventral oral-rim tubular ducts in medial and mediolateral areas of thorax
Go to 88
87B. With 10 or more ventral oral-rim tubular ducts in medial and mediolateral area of thorax
Paracoccus gillianae von Ellenrieder & Stocks (in part)

88(87).

88A. With dorsal oral-rim tubular ducts
Go to 89
88B. Without dorsal oral-rim tubular ducts
Paracoccus juniperi (Ehrhorn) (in part)

89(88).

89A. With less than 5 oral-rim tubular ducts
Planococcus citri (Risso) (in part)
89B. With more than 5 oral-rim tubular ducts
Paracoccus herreni Williams & Granara de Willink

90(84).

90A. For rapid identification, the following characters will work most of time; more than 4 oral-collar tubular ducts between antennae; more than 5 oral-collar tubular ducts adjacent to middle pair of legs counting both sides of body
Planococcus citri (Risso) (in part)
90B. For rapid identification, the following characters will work most of time; less than 5 oral-collar tubular ducts between antennae; less than 5 oral-collar tubular ducts adjacent to middle pair of legs counting both sides of body
Planococcus minor (Maskell)
90C. For more accurate identification, use following table [adapted from Cox (1989)], if score is 0–35 = Pl. minor and 36–120 = Pl. citri.
Character Value Score
Total number of ventral oral-collar tubular ducts on both sides of head 0–3 0
4–13 10
14–35 40
Total number of ventral oral-collar tubular ducts laterad of both middle coxae 0–2 0
3–7 10
8–30 40
At least 1 ventral oral-collar tubular duct(s) between 16th and 17th cerarius (counting from anal lobe) No 0
Yes 10
Total number multilocular pores behind both front coxae 0–6 5
7–12 0
Ratio length hind tibia + tarsus to length of trochanter + femur 1.00–1.07 0
1.08–1.17 5
1.18–1.30 10
Width of row of ventral multilocular disk pores on posterior margin of segment VI Single 15
Intermediate 5
Double 0

91(83).

91A. With denticle on claw
Go to 92
91B. Without denticle on claw
Go to 94

92(91).

92A. Oral-rim tubular ducts absent; tarsal digitules with acute apex; tibia with translucent pores scattered
Go to 93
92B. Oral-rim tubular ducts present; tarsal digitules with clubbed apex; distal tibia with conspicuous cluster of translucent pores
Spilococcus mamillariae (Bouché) (in part)

93(92).

93A. Ventral multilocular pores on abdominal segment VII present in row along posterior edge only; circulus usually small, rounded; antennae usually 8 segmented
Phenacoccus solani Ferris
93B. Ventral multilocular pores on abdominal segment VII present between anterior and posterior margins; circulus usually large, more flaccid; antennae usually 9 segmented
Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley

94(91).

94A. Dorsal setae conical
Go to 95
94B. Dorsal setae hair-like
Go to 97

95(94).

95A. Multilocular pores and oral-collar tubular ducts uncommon in marginal areas of thorax and abdomen
Go to 96
95B. Multilocular pores and oral-collar tubular ducts in dense band along body margin of thorax and abdomen
Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead)

96(95).

96A. With 100 or more multilocular pores; cerarian setae separated by less than length of conical seta
Nipaecoccus floridensis Beardsley (in part)
96B. With 50 or fewer multilocular pores; cerarian setae separated by more than length of conical setae
Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) (in part)

97(94).

97A. Anal-lobe cerarii with 2 conical setae
Delottococcus confusus (De Lotto) (in part)
97B. Anal-lobe cerarii with more than 3 conical setae
Paraputo olivaceus (Cockerell)

Reference

Ahmed, M.Z., Powell, E.C. & Miller, D.R. (2025) ‘A taxonomic key to mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) of Florida, United States’, Florida Entomologist, 108(s1), pp. 20240083. https://doi.org/10.1515/flaent-2024-0083