> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://badixth-dc85e378.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Diagnose and Respond to Mealybug Wilt (PMWaV) in Pineapple

> Identify Pineapple Mealybug Wilt-associated Virus (PMWaV) from expanding circular red-yellow patches with tip die-back, and control by suppressing the mealybug vector and using clean planting material.

Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is caused by a complex of **Pineapple Mealybug Wilt-associated Viruses (PMWaV-1, -2, -3)** transmitted by pineapple mealybugs (Dysmicoccus brevipes and D. neobrevipes). The virus alone is often symptomless, but combined with active mealybug feeding it causes yellowing, red-pink flush, tip die-back, and eventual plant collapse in expanding circular patches.

**Regional priority:** Universal wherever pineapple is grown. The number-one virus disease of pineapple worldwide.

## When pineapple is most vulnerable

At all phases, but visible collapse peaks at **late vegetative to fruit development (months 10 to 18)** when the plant is under peak demand. Mealybug outbreaks in early vegetative months (3 to 6) set the stage for late-season wilt.

## How mealybug wilt shows in satellite data

* **Circular red-yellow patches** that expand between passes - the most characteristic satellite signature.
* **Slow spread** (weeks to months) rather than sudden appearance.
* **NDVI drop** with patchy pattern; distinguish from waterlogging by pattern (drainage-independent) and speed (slower).
* Pattern often starts near block edges or previous outbreak sites.

## Field symptoms

* **Yellow older leaves with pink or red flush**
* **Tip die-back** progressing inward
* **Downward curling** of leaf tips
* **Plant collapse** in advanced cases
* **Waxy white mealybug colonies** at the leaf axil and base - always present in active MWP
* **Ants** trailing the plant base (tending the mealybugs)
* **Circular expanding patches** rather than scattered plants

## Reduce the damage by

* **Suppress the vector, always** - MWP control is mealybug control. See [Mealybugs](/guides/Crop/Pineapple/biotic/insects/mealybugs).
* **Use virus-free planting material** - hot water treatment of suckers (50 C for 30 min) reduces virus load.
* **Ant control** - ants protect mealybugs from natural enemies. Baits and mulch-line insecticide bands break the association.
* **Rogue advanced plants** at the edge of expanding foci to slow spread within the block.
* **Rotate blocks** with grass or legume fallow to break the mealybug cycle.
* **Do not intercrop** with other mealybug hosts (banana, taro, some ornamentals).
* **Preventive insecticide** on high-risk blocks - buprofezin, thiamethoxam, or spirotetramat rotation.

## Set an alert for early warning

<Tip>
  Turn the diagnosis into a trigger. MWP spreads slowly and visibly - use expanding-cluster alerts on the satellite view.
</Tip>

Recommended settings for mealybug wilt on pineapple:

* **Cluster expansion alert** - trigger when a flagged NDVI-drop zone expands between two consecutive satellite passes.
* **Mealybug follow-up alert** - trigger an MWP inspection 4 to 6 weeks after any block flagged for mealybug outbreak.
* **Edge-focus alert** - schedule quarterly walks along block edges and near known previous outbreak zones.

## Related

* [Pineapple Diagnosis](/guides/Crop/Pineapple/pineapple-diagnosis)
* [Mealybugs](/guides/Crop/Pineapple/biotic/insects/mealybugs) - the vector; MWP control = mealybug control.
* [Set up automated crop alerts](/guides/alerts-notifications)