Abstract:
An island-wide survey of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) conducted in 2008/09 helped identify
two species of Rastrococcus from Sri Lanka. R. invadens Williams was identified from samples collected
on Plumeria sp. and Ficus arnottiana, while R. rubellus Williams was found on Plumeria sp. Although R.
invadens has been recorded in Sri Lanka before, this is the first record of the oriental mealybug, R. rubellus, from the country. R. rubellus was found in mixed colonies with R. invadens; so far, the infestations have not been associated with any severe crop losses. The survey revealed that R. rubellus is confined to a limited area in Colombo District. This restricted distribution suggested that it may be a new
introduction to the country. Diagnostic characters to aid recognition of R. rubellus, and details of its
distribution and host range within Sri Lanka are given.
