First record of the giant mealybug Drosicha mangiferae (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Monophlebidae) in Egypt

Abstract

Heavy infestations of various trees and ornamental plants by mealybug were observed on the Northern Coast of Egypt during 2024 and 2025. It was first found in one of the coastal villages, Alexandria Governorate. During this study, the insect was observed to expand and distributed in many neighboring villages. Morphological examination identified the species as the giant mealybug Drosicha mangiferae , an invasive species that has never before been reported from Egypt. This study documents D. mangiferae as a new addition to the Egyptian fauna and reports its presence for the first time in Egypt, the Mediterranean Basin, and the African continent. All diagnostic characteristics of the adult female were examined, illustrated, and photographed. Voucher specimens are deposited in the collection of the Department of Applied Entomology and Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University.