Unraveling key biological aspects of Delottococcus aberiae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) to enhance pest management.

Abstract

Effective pest management relies on understanding how environmental factors, particularly temperature, influence insect development and population dynamics. The invasive mealybug Delottococcus aberiae (De Lotto) has caused significant damage to citrus crops since its detection in 2009 in eastern Spain; despite this, knowledge of its biology remains limited. To address this gap, we examined key biological traits of D. aberiae across a range of temperatures from 15 to 30 °C. The developmental thresholds of D. aberiae were estimated at 9.4 and 30 °C, with the species performing best under moderate conditions but declining at higher temperatures. D. aberiae required a thermal constant of 730 degree-days to complete 1 generation, corresponding to 4 to 5 generations per year under the climatic conditions of eastern Spain, where the species is established. D. aberiae reproduces exclusively sexually, with peak fertility occurring at 22.5 °C, when females laid an average of 500 eggs and exhibited the largest body sizes. Overall, D. aberiae thrives within the temperature range typical of the Mediterranean basin. Although it shows low tolerance to high temperatures, the developmental thresholds and thermal constant determined in this study indicate that D. aberiae can withstand both winter and summer conditions, allowing populations to persist throughout the year. These findings can be used to predict population peaks, prevent spread to other citrus-producing regions with similar climates, and identify critical developmental stages for intervention, thereby supporting more targeted and effective control strategies.