. Cooperative economic insect report. Beneficial insects; Insect pests. - 767 - A ROOT MEALYBUG (Geococcus coffeae Green) Introduction: The insect, described from specimens collected on roots of coffee tree (Coffea liberica) from Dutch Guiana (Green, 1933), was first found in Florida in 1958 on roots of Dieffenbachla sp. and Philodendron selloum, by H. M. Van Pelt. These foliage plants were commercially grown in a greenhouse in Apopka. Determi- nation made by H. Morrison showed this to be a new record for Continental United States. In 1958, a special survey of greenhouses in Florida resulted i
. Cooperative economic insect report. Beneficial insects; Insect pests. - 767 - A ROOT MEALYBUG (Geococcus coffeae Green) Introduction: The insect, described from specimens collected on roots of coffee tree (Coffea liberica) from Dutch Guiana (Green, 1933), was first found in Florida in 1958 on roots of Dieffenbachla sp. and Philodendron selloum, by H. M. Van Pelt. These foliage plants were commercially grown in a greenhouse in Apopka. Determi- nation made by H. Morrison showed this to be a new record for Continental United States. In 1958, a special survey of greenhouses in Florida resulted in positive finds at Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Lockhart, Oviedo, and Zellwood. Attempts were made to eradicate each infestation by insecticides. In September 1965, a new in- festation was found by C. 0. Youtsey on the roots of both container-grown citrus in a Winter Haven greenhouse and those of Chinese boxorange adjacent to a green- house. Infestation of Chinese boxorange shows that G. coffeae is capable of attacking plants outside greenhouses in Florida. EraH'ication of the mealybug at Winter Haven was underway in December 1965. Economic Importance; This ground-inhabiting species feeds on roots of plants. While it is known as an economic pest in some cacao and coffee-producing regions, its economic potential in Florida is unknown. As citrus is a host, every precau- tion is being taken to eradicate G^ coffeae in Florida. Hosts: Aglaonema, Caladium, Canna, Chamaedorea, Citrus, Codiaeum, Coffea, Cyperus, Desplatzia, Dichorisandra, Dieffenbachia, Eugenia, Eupatorium, Gnaphalium, Hedera, Indigofera, Ipomoea, Musa, Nerium, Osmanthus, Paspalum, Peperomia, Philodendron, Pilea, Schefflora, Scindapsus, Serissa, Severinia, Solanum, Syngonium, Theobroma and Xanthosoma. Distribution: Brazil, Canal Zone, Ceylon, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Dutch Guiana, Gold Coast, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Nigeria, Palau, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Uganda, El Salvador, Zanzibar and U
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