title: A new mealybug in the genus Pseudococcus Westwood (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) from North America, with a key to species of Pseudococcus from the New World.
abstract: A mealybug species that feeds on Agave spp., Pseudococcus variabilis sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), is described from North America. Its entry into the United States was likely via the horticultural trade on its host plants in the genus Agave (Liliales: Agavaceae). Descriptions and illustrations of the adult female and male, diagnosis from congeners in the New World, and a molecular characterization based on COI are provided, as well as a key to adult females of all Pseudococcus species recorded from the New World.
authors.affiliation: Plant Pest Diagnostics Center, California Department of Food and Agriculture, 3294 Meadowview Road, Sacramento, CA 95832-1448, U.S.A.; Email: natalia.von.ellenrieder@cdfa.ca.gov.
authors.forename: Natalia Von
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Ellenrieder
authors.affiliation: Plant Pest Diagnostics Center, California Department of Food and Agriculture, 3294 Meadowview Road, Sacramento, CA 95832-1448, U.S.A.; Email: gillian.watson@cdfa.ca.gov.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D009656:North America; D009929:Organ Size