Journal of Agricultural Science; Vol. 12, No. 7; 2020 ISSN 1916-9752 E-ISSN 1916-9760 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education Biodiversity of Natural Enemies of Pseudococcidae in the Semiarid Region of Brazil Maria G. R. Sá1, José E. M. Oliveira2, Valmir A. Costa3 & Paulo R. C. Lopes2 1 Agricultural Sciences Campus, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco State, Brazil 2 Embrapa Semiárido, Petrolina State, Brazil 3 Biological Institute, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil Correspondence: Maria G. R. Sá, Agricultural Sciences Campus, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, Highway BR 407, 12 Lot 543, Nilo Coelho Irrigation Project, S/N C1, Petrolina, Pernambuco State, Brazil. Tel: 55-87-99618-4185. E-mail:
[email protected] Received: February 10, 2020 Accepted: May 4, 2020 Online Published: June 15, 2020 doi:10.5539/jas.v12n7p24 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v12n7p24 Abstract Pseudococcidae species, also known as mealybugs, comprises a complex of pests in various cultivated and non-cultivated plant species, among which fruit plants are most affected by both direct and indirect damage. The incidence of these pest species has been constant in productive environments, causing significant losses due to sap suction, virus transmission, and damage to fruit quality. Thus, this study aimed to know and investigate the population dynamics of natural enemies of Pseudococcidae in different fruit plants cultivated in the semiarid region of Brazil. For this, mealybugs associated with roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of vine, pear, apple, persimmon, guava, and acerola trees were collected biweekly in 14 properties in the São Francisco Valley region, from July 2016 to June 2017.