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Miscanthus Feeding Insects and Nematodes
different stages of crop development with explanation of their potential to
reduce the crop yield.
8.2 Plant Feeding Insects with Piercing-Sucking Mouth Parts
8.2.1 Miscanthus Mealybug
M. × giganteus parenteral plants M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis are susceptible to several pests in native countries (Stefanovska et al., 2017a). Mealybug
Miscanthiococcus miscanthi Takahashi (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a
subtropical species (most often distributed within the boundaries of 23.24°–
30.16° Northern Latitude); however, it can be spread to higher latitudes:
44.10°. Several studies show that in Southeastern states of the US, Miscanthus
mealybugs are becoming a significant problem (Wheeler, 2013).
8.2.1.1 Identification
The body of mealybug adult females is wingless, soft, and oval, approximately 3 mm long. They are covered by white wax. Male mealybugs are up to
2 mm long with four eyes, two wings, and long tails. Newly hatched nymphs
(crawlers) are flat, oval, and yellow, and generally do not have a waxy coating.
Older nymphs are covered with fluffy, white wax.
8.2.1.2 Life Cycle
Adult females and crawlers overwinter and commonly emerge by May. Adult
females of most mealybugs lay 100–200 or more eggs in cottony egg sacs that
are attached to crowns, leaves, or twigs. It takes about a month for crawlers to
mature. Spreading of Miscanthus mealybugs generally happens via propagating infested plants or blowing of crawlers into nearby plants. This pest
has three generations per year.
8.2.1.3 Damage
The species suck sap from plant phloem, causing yellowing and twisting of
leaves, stunted and slowing down of plant growth. Insects also can damage plants by excreting the sticky honeydew which may be a substance for
black sooty mold fungus growth. The good signs of a possible infestation of
Miscanthus mealybug are purple spots on infested stems.
Because M. × giganteus is capable to form a strong root system and big
vegetative mass, a thick layer of dead organic litter can serve as niche for
Miscanthus Feeding Insects and Nematodes
different stages of crop development with explanation of their potential to
reduce the crop yield.
8.2 Plant Feeding Insects with Piercing-Sucking Mouth Parts
8.2.1 Miscanthus Mealybug
M. × giganteus parenteral plants M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis are susceptible to several pests in native countries (Stefanovska et al., 2017a). Mealybug
Miscanthiococcus miscanthi Takahashi (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a
subtropical species (most often distributed within the boundaries of 23.24°–
30.16° Northern Latitude); however, it can be spread to higher latitudes:
44.10°. Several studies show that in Southeastern states of the US, Miscanthus
mealybugs are becoming a significant problem (Wheeler, 2013).
8.2.1.1 Identification
The body of mealybug adult females is wingless, soft, and oval, approximately 3 mm long. They are covered by white wax. Male mealybugs are up to
2 mm long with four eyes, two wings, and long tails. Newly hatched nymphs
(crawlers) are flat, oval, and yellow, and generally do not have a waxy coating.
Older nymphs are covered with fluffy, white wax.
8.2.1.2 Life Cycle
Adult females and crawlers overwinter and commonly emerge by May. Adult
females of most mealybugs lay 100–200 or more eggs in cottony egg sacs that
are attached to crowns, leaves, or twigs. It takes about a month for crawlers to
mature. Spreading of Miscanthus mealybugs generally happens via propagating infested plants or blowing of crawlers into nearby plants. This pest
has three generations per year.
8.2.1.3 Damage
The species suck sap from plant phloem, causing yellowing and twisting of
leaves, stunted and slowing down of plant growth. Insects also can damage plants by excreting the sticky honeydew which may be a substance for
black sooty mold fungus growth. The good signs of a possible infestation of
Miscanthus mealybug are purple spots on infested stems.
Because M. × giganteus is capable to form a strong root system and big
vegetative mass, a thick layer of dead organic litter can serve as niche for