Citrophilus mealybug	-	Monitoring for all species combined
	Longtailed mealybug
	Obscure mealybug

Monitoring for mealybug in integrated fruit production (IFP) is required in all regions from Nelson/Marlborough northwards but not in regions further south. It is not necessary to identify the different species of mealybugs during monitoring. All mealybug species can be combined when applying action thresholds or deciding on control methods in IFP. Identification of the species may be helpful when determining biological control by natural enemies or control by other biological methods.

Monitoring method – There is no monitoring method for mealybugs during the summer. Mealybug risk is assessed from the levels of infestation at the previous harvest assessment. This requires the examination of 1000 fruit per cultivar/block, sampled from bins in the field (e.g. 200 fruits from each of 5 bins), to determine the presence of mealybugs or mealybug-induced sooty mould. Infestation levels are used to provide action thresholds. Special care should be taken in examining the calyx and stem end of the fruit. Alternatively, a measure of mealybug infestation at harvest may be obtained from packhouse assessment. For growers entering their first year of integrated fruit production and without a record from the previous harvest, it is advisable to assume that mealybug was present and that there is some risk of mealybug infestation after organophosphate insecticides are not used regularly.

Organic production relies on biological control of mealybugs and routine monitoring is not presently required.