Ability to Respond Total:16 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Easily transported long distances on infested plants and plant material and can disperse locally by crawling or by hitchhiking on clothing, equipment.
5
Spread Amount
Highly polyphagous (at least 49 plant families, e.g. banana, tomato, potato, pepper, and Hibiscus) and likely to establish throughout California.
4
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
Attacks the endangered species Chamaesyce hooveri and Croton wigginsii. Increased insecticide usage would result to manage this pest if it established - this could threaten environmental quality.
2
Agricultural
May lower yields of many high-value California crops such as grapes, citrus, tomatoes and nursery stock. It might also trigger disruptions of markets for nursery stock and fresh fruit. Possible vector of cacao mild mosaic virus.
4
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
Many of the mealybug’s hosts are popular ornamental plants and are likely to be significantly impacted.
2
Health
0
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
17
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Mealybugs overall are difficult to sample and detect - this is due to their small size, cryptic habits.
3
Control
Mealybugs overall are difficult to control. Limited published information on chemical or non-chemical control options for this pest.
