Philippine Journal of Crop Science (PJCS) April 2012, 37 (1):47-56 Research Note Copyright 2012, Crop Science Society of the Philippines Expansion of Local Geographic and Host Ranges of Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) (Pseudococcidae, Hemiptera)inthe Philippines with New Records of Predators and Attending Ants Merdelyn T. Caasi-Litl*, Ireneo L. Lit, Jr.2' 3 and Ariel R. Larona3 'Institute of Plant Breeding, Crop Science Cluster, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; 2 Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines; 3 Museum of Natural History, OVCRE, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines;* Corresponding Author,
[email protected] The local geographical distribution of the buff coconut mealybug (BCM), Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) (Pseudococcidae, Hemiptera) has widened since its initial invasion of Luzon Island in the early 2000s, being now known to occur in other islands and provinces of the Philippines. Surveys were conducted in several regions by initially inspecting known hosts of BCM and other plants. Samples of BCM and of host plants were collected, the latter identified to species. Seventeen (17) plant species belonging to 12 families are recorded as new hosts of BCM, bringing its total known host plants in the Philippines to 71 species in 20 families. An updated host list was prepared to include all local plants that serve as hosts of this invasive species. New associated organisms are also reported for the first time. These include larvae of the green lacewing, Mallada basalis (Walker) (Chrysopidae, Neuroptera) and the brown lacewing, Micromus igorotus Banks (Hemerobiidae, Neuroptera) that have been observed to prey on nymphs and adults, the first known locally available natural enemies of BCM.