Abstract: 【Aim】 The solanum mealybug, Phenacoccus solani (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an important invasive insect pest on succulent plants newly discovered and recorded in China in recent years. This study aims to ascertain the differences in the survival and reproduction of P. solani on different succulents and its potential damage in China. 【Methods】 Seven representative succulents of seven genera of Aizoaceae, Crassulaceae, Liliaceae, and Portulacaceae, including Sempervivum tecrum, Aeonium arboreum, Cotyledon tomentosa, Graptopetalum paraguayuense, Lithops pseudotruncatella, Anacampseros telephiastrum and Haworthia cooperi var. truncata, were chosen as host plants to cultivate P. solani in an environmental chamber (25±1℃, RH 70%±5%, and photoperiod 14L∶10D). We observed and recorded the biological characteristics of P. solani on these host plants, built the experimental population life table, and surveyed its occurrence in the succulent plant production greenhouses in Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou and Jinhua cities of Zhejiang Province, eastern China. 【Results】 P. solani could not complete the growth and development on A. telephiastrum and H. cooperi var. truncata, but could complete the whole life cycle on the other five succulents. The 1st and 2nd instar nymphs of P. solani had high mortality rates, but almost all the nymphs after the 3rd instar could develop into adults and reproduce. P. solani fed on A. arboretum and G. paraguayuense had the lowest mortality rate, the highest oviposition amount and the highest egg hatching rate of F₁ generation. In contrast, P. solani on C. tomentosa and L. pseudotruncatella had the highest mortality rate and the lowest oviposition amount and egg hatching rate of F₁ generation. With respect to the life table parameters, the net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase of P. solani on A. arboretum and G. paraguayuense were the highest, and the population doubling time on the two succulent plants was the shortest. However, the net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase of P. solani on L. pseudotruncatella and C. tomentosa were the lowest, but the population doubling time on the two succulent plants was the longest. Greenhouse survey revealed that P. solani had different levels of occurrence on 87 succulent species of 24 genera of 5 families (Crassulaceae, Aizoaceae, Cactaceae, Liliaceae and Portulacaceae). 【Conclusion】 Among the seven succulent plants tested, A. arboretum and G. paraguayuense are the most suitable plants for the growth, development and reproduction of P. solani, followed by S. tecrum. The 1st and 2nd instar nymphs are the key stages for control of P. solani. This insect can feed on various succulent species and be transferred widely, easily resulting in its spread and outbreak. So it is necessary to attach great importance to its potential risks in the introduction and cultivation of succulents.

Key words: Phenacoccus solani; growth and development, reproduction, succulent plants, host plant, greenhouse, experimental population life table