Are some prepupae and pupae of male mealybugs and root mealybugs (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae and Rhizoecidae) mobile?
It is hypothesised here that some mealybug (Pseudococcidae) and root mealybug (Rhizoecidae) prepupae and pupae are mobile. The prepupa and pupa of the mealybug Promyrmococcus dilli Williams and the prepupa of the root mealybug Ripersiella malschae (Williams) are described and illustrated and their probable mobility is discussed. It is also suggested that the prepupae and pupae of the mealybug Macrocepicoccus loranthi Morrison can move rapidly on the leaves when disturbed.
Department of Life Sciences (Entomology), The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K.
D J
DJ
Williams
Department of Biodiversity and Biological Systematics, The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, U.K.
Chris J
CJ
Hodgson
Coccoidea; Pseudococcidae; Rhizoecidae