Efficacy and infectivity of Isaria fumosorosea for controlling the Madeira mealybug (Phenacoccus madeirensis) on plants for shipping

Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is one of the most economically important mealybug species in greenhouse production of ornamentals in the southeastern United States. This pest can inadvertently be translocated via foreign cuttings to potted ornamental plants prior to shipping throughout the United States. The objectives of these studies were to evaluate a biocontrol strategy that would be efficacious, non-toxic and safe to use by the producer as well as the consumer and help mitigate the spread of this insect pest. In a preliminary test, the entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria fumosorosea (=Preferal®) was found to be pathogenic to the mealybug ovisac and life stages under optimum laboratory conditions. Since this finding, more studies were conducted to determine the potential efficacy and infectivity of Preferal® for controlling the mealybug on plants for shipping. Our presentation will discuss the results of these various studies and the practicality of using this biopesticide for mitigating the spread of this pest on ornamental plants during shipping.