Observations on the biology of the pasture mealybug <i>Balanococcus poae</i> from Hawkes Bay pastures

Abstract

The seasonal biology of Balanococcus poae was examined in Hawkes Bay from 2006 to 2008 Adult females were found throughout the year typically in wax cells ca 12 cm below the soil surface with a peak density of ca 1300/m² during winter and early spring (JuneOctober) Winter eggs were followed by neonate nymphs from spring through summer The timing of lifestages indicates that there was a single generation each year but a partial second generation may also have occurred in late summer No males were found Morphometric data did not reliably separate different immature stages Neonate nymphs on potted plants crawled first to the tips of tillers and then moved down the blade to feed beneath the protective tiller sheath No parasitoids or predators of mealybugs were found In the absence of biological control grasses with endophytic fungi that confer resistance to pasture mealybug would give effective control