Ferrisia virgata (striped mealybug).
Abstract Ferrisia virgata is a highly polyphagous mealybug. It reproduces quite rapidly in tropical conditions, but it tolerates subtropical and to some extent temperate conditions too. It has been reported on host-plants belonging to over 203 genera in 77 families, and can damage many crops, particularly tropical fruit, nut and spice crops and field crops like soybean and tomato. It is known to transmit plant badnavirus diseases of cocoa and black pepper. It is of Neotropical origin and spread around the world in only about 10 years after being first described from Jamaica. Its polyphagy has facilitated its spread by human transport of infested plants, and it is now established in all the subtropical and tropical zoogeographic regions. Its small size and cryptic habits make it difficult to detect and identify at plant quarantine inspection. The increase in international trade in fresh plant material in recent years is likely to facilitate its continued spread.