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First report of the rhodesgrass mealybug Antonina graminis (Maskell, 1897) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) in Chile, with key to genera of Pseudococcidae

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Abstract

The rhodesgrass mealybug, Antonina graminis (Maskell, 1897), is reported for the first time from Chile, in the northern region of Tarapacá. This legless mealybug is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and yet mentioned in the neighbouring countries. It feeds on a large variety of grasses (Poaceae), and can be considered as pest. The species identification was based on morphological and molecular data using the 28S gene as barcode marker. Of the five sites sampled, A. graminis was found in only one, indicating it may correspond to a recent introduction. Thus, it would be important to survey more closely its distribution within the country. A key to the genera of Pseudococcidae from Chile is provided, including relevant genera considered as pest, and not established in the country. This key is of direct interest to stakeholders in Chile, such as national phytosanitary services, and farm advisors.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Constanza Vargas and Pablo Osses, from the Centro UC Desierto de Atacama, Estación Alto Patache, for its logistical assistance during the sampling in the Tarapacá Region. The project was supported by Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID), Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (FONDECYT) Postdoctorado n°3180344. The sequencer was acquired through the support of CONICYT – FONDEQUIP EQM150077.

Availability of data and material

The sequence was deposited in GenBank with the following accession number: MT367413. Two slides were deposited in public collections.

Funding

The project was supported by ANID FONDECYT postdoctorado n°3180344.

The sequencer was acquired through the support of CONICYT – FONDEQUIP EQM150077.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul, Chile

    Paul Amouroux & Tania Zaviezo

Authors
  1. Paul Amouroux
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  2. Tania Zaviezo
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conceptualization and funding acquisition. Material preparation, data collection, analysis and writing the first draft were performed by P. Amouroux. T. Zaviezo provided entomological and molecular laboratory resources, reviewed and edited the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Paul Amouroux.

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Amouroux, P., Zaviezo, T. First report of the rhodesgrass mealybug Antonina graminis (Maskell, 1897) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) in Chile, with key to genera of Pseudococcidae. Int J Trop Insect Sci 41, 1863–1868 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-020-00382-7

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