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Background <p>The grey pineapple mealybug, <i>Dysmicoccus neobrevipes</i> Beardsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a serious emerging pest of banana bunches in some major banana belts of southern India, causes visible damage symptoms and discoloration of fruits. Its early detection and management are essential as it is a quarantine concern for banana exporters, and causes yield losses to farmers.</p> Methods and Results <p>A rapid, sensitive, and specific Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) assay was developed for on-site detection of <i>D. neobrevipes</i>. Primers designed from the COI gene sequences of <i>D. neobrevipes</i> specifically amplified the target without cross-reactivity to other mealybug species. The assay efficiently detected <i>D. neobrevipes</i> using crude DNA within 20&#xa0;min at 39&#xa0;°C, enabling rapid, on-site identification for quarantine and pest management applications. Field studies revealed the association of four coccinellid predators [<i>Scymnus coccivora</i> Ayyar, <i>Scymnus syoitii</i> Sasaji, <i>Slipinskiscymnus saciformis</i> (Motschulsky), and <i>Nephus</i> sp.], three primary parasitoids [<i>Allotropa</i> sp., <i>Leptomastidea shafeei</i> Hayat &amp; Subba Rao, <i>Leptomastix tsukumiensis</i> Tachikawa], and one hyperparasitoid [<i>Chartocerus</i> sp.], with <i>D. neobrevipes</i>. Application of safe, botanical oil-based soaps and entomofungal pathogens was found to be effective in containing the mealybug populations in laboratory bioassays and limited field trials.</p> Conclusion <p>This RPA assay will be useful in the rapid and timely on-site diagnosis of <i>D. neobrevipes</i> by field surveillance and quarantine agencies<i>,</i> and prevent its further spread to hitherto mealybug-free banana growing areas. Timely detection and management of <i>D. neobrevipes</i> using safe biopesticides and conservation of its natural enemies can prevent avoidable yield losses to banana farmers and exporters.</p>

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A recombinase polymerase amplification-based rapid diagnostic assay for Dysmicoccus neobrevipes, a serious pest of banana in India, with notes on the damage symptoms, natural enemies, and management

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月3日

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  • J. Poorani,
  • C. Anuradha,
  • A. Mohanasundaram,
  • R. Thanigairaj,
  • P. Samuel,
  • N. Baskar

摘要

Background

The grey pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a serious emerging pest of banana bunches in some major banana belts of southern India, causes visible damage symptoms and discoloration of fruits. Its early detection and management are essential as it is a quarantine concern for banana exporters, and causes yield losses to farmers.

Methods and Results

A rapid, sensitive, and specific Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) assay was developed for on-site detection of D. neobrevipes. Primers designed from the COI gene sequences of D. neobrevipes specifically amplified the target without cross-reactivity to other mealybug species. The assay efficiently detected D. neobrevipes using crude DNA within 20 min at 39 °C, enabling rapid, on-site identification for quarantine and pest management applications. Field studies revealed the association of four coccinellid predators [Scymnus coccivora Ayyar, Scymnus syoitii Sasaji, Slipinskiscymnus saciformis (Motschulsky), and Nephus sp.], three primary parasitoids [Allotropa sp., Leptomastidea shafeei Hayat & Subba Rao, Leptomastix tsukumiensis Tachikawa], and one hyperparasitoid [Chartocerus sp.], with D. neobrevipes. Application of safe, botanical oil-based soaps and entomofungal pathogens was found to be effective in containing the mealybug populations in laboratory bioassays and limited field trials.

Conclusion

This RPA assay will be useful in the rapid and timely on-site diagnosis of D. neobrevipes by field surveillance and quarantine agencies, and prevent its further spread to hitherto mealybug-free banana growing areas. Timely detection and management of D. neobrevipes using safe biopesticides and conservation of its natural enemies can prevent avoidable yield losses to banana farmers and exporters.