The Determination Mealybug Species and Natural Enemies in Pitaya Greenhouses in the Mediterranean Region

Pitaya, Hylocereus spp. (Caryophyllales: Cactaceae) has been one of the new species cultivated in Türkiye for recent years. There are many limiting factors, including pests, diseases and weeds, to decrease the yield and fruit quality in pitaya (dragon fruit) areas in Türkiye. In addition, the pests of pitaya is not fully studied therefore this study has been conducted to determine mealybug species in pitaya greenhouses in Türkiye. The present study was aimed to determine mealybug species and its natural enemies (parasitoids, and predator insects) in pitaya greenhouses in Adana, Mersin, and Antalya between 2021 and 2022. According to results of this study, 2 different mealybug species was determined; Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley 1898, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, 1923 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in pitaya greenhouses. Moreover 1 parasitoid (Aenasius arizonensis Girault (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and 2 different predatory insects from 2 different order and 2 different families (Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Nephus includens Kirsch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)) were detected within this study. As can be seen above results, these two invasive mealybug species have wide spectrum host plants and may cause economically important damages on pitaya, if natural enemies cannot work successfully or control strategies do not applied properly in pitaya greenhouses.