Mealybug Population Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis of Sampling Methods for Saccharicoccus sacchari and Heliococcus summervillei in Sugarcane ( Saccharum sp. Hybrids).

This research is focused on a comparative field-based study of the population dynamics and sampling methods of two mealybug species, Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell, 1895) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) and Heliococcus summervillei (Brookes, 1978) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae), in sugarcane ( Saccharum sp. hybrids) (f. Poaceae) over consecutive growing seasons. The research monitored and compared the above- and belowground populations and seasonal abundance of these two mealybug species in sugarcane fields in Far North Queensland, with non-destructive sampling techniques of yellow sticky traps, pan traps, and stem traps, and destructive sampling of the whole leaf and whole plant. The results indicated that S. sacchari (n = 29,137) was more abundant and detected throughout the growing season, with population peaks in the mid-season, while H. summervillei (n = 2706) showed peaks of the early-season activity. S. sacchari is primarily located on sugarcane stems and roots, compared to H. summervillei , which is located on leaves and roots. The whole-leaf collection and stem trap were the most effective sampling techniques for quantification of H. summervillei and S. sacchari , respectively. This study enhanced the understanding of S. sacchari and the first-ever record of H. summervillei on sugarcane in Australia and will contribute to the development of more effective pest management strategies.