Root mealybugs and associated fauna in black pepper

Surveys were conducted in eleven locations in two districts (Wayanad and Idukki) of Kerala during 2013–14 and 2015–16. Three mealybug species viz., Formicococcus polysperes Williams, Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) and Pseudococcus sp. were found infesting the roots and basal stem region of black pepper vines (Piper nigrum Linn). Formicococcus polysperes was dominant in both districts. Infestation caused aerial symptoms like yellowing, wilting and defoliation of leaves. It was also found to be infesting ginger in infested black pepper gardens. Four species of ants viz. Crematogaster rogenhoferi Mayr, Lophomyrmex quadrispinosus (Jerdon) (Myrmicinae), Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith) and Paratrechina sp. (Formicinae) were associated with root mealybug colonies. Among the natural enemies, larvae of Horniolus sp. were observed to predate on root mealybug colonies. Many weed hosts and intercrops in pepper garden were documented as collateral hosts of root mealybugs.