The Comstock Mealybug in California and Observations on Some of Its Natural Enemies1

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Abstract
Following discovery 1967 of Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana) infesting 10 square miles in the city of Porterville, Calif., efforts were undertaken (1) to assess the potential destructiveness of the pest; (2) to test the possibilities for its complete biological control; (3) to explore the feasibility of temporary biological, and mechanical containment practices: and (4) to collect facts pertinent to a decision by the California State Department of Agriculture as to whether eradicative measures should be undertaken. The probability of severe damage by this pest, should it spread to other California areas, appeared likely. Poor prospects for completely successful biological control were indicated from trials with 3 imported Japanese parasites: pseudaphycus malinus Cahan, Allotropa burrelli Muesebeck, and Clausenia purpurea Ishii. The results of these investigations of natural enemies and of the plant host relationships of the mealybug peculiar to the infested area suggest the desirability of certain chemical, biological, and mechanical containment practices until eradicative measures can be inaugurated.

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