Population Trend and Dispersal Agents of Papaya Mealybug, Paracoccus Marginatus on Papaya Plants at Khairpur, Sindh

Papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), is an intensive polyphagous sap sucking insect pest species, has become a serious threat to (Carcia papaya L.). The waxy or mealy secretion covers the body of insects has added the controlling challenge of this pest species and are what give them the name mealybug. PMB infestations typically appear as groups of cotton like mases with long waxy filaments, honeydew causes the sooty mold to grow and fruits become extremely bitter, hard and can render to inedible, turning fruit and leaves yellow, crinkling, twisting, curling, resetting, stunting and death of plants. This research was performed under field conditions during, September 2024 to February, 2025 to determine the population trend of PMB on papaya plants. The maximum population of PMB was recorded on leaves of papaya (42.55±1.66), followed by fruit (35.71±1.13) and main shoots (10.92±0.55/20cm/dm), respectively. Therefore, it is essential to comprehensive understanding of its biology, ecology, and impact is imperative. An urgent and co-ordinated control measures must be implemented nationwide to curb its spread plant to plant and orchard to orchard. Such decisive action is critical to safeguarding the quality and yield of papaya production across Pakistan.