The presence of Pendularia paraguariensis Granara de WillinK, 1999 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) was reported for the first time in Brazil in the town of Chapecó, Santa Catarina State (27°05’47"S, 52°37’06"W), attacking Paraguay tea plants (Ilex paraguariensis), from September 2002 to January 2003. Other 32 Paraguay tea plantations were inspected and there was not occurrence of this insect. This cochineal can cause degeneration of the branches where they are due to the constant suction of the sap. The contour of the body is rounded oval (2.68mm x 2.60mm) and it has short and robust antennas with seven segments. This species is characterized by the presence and distribution of preoperculary pores and hypopygial arrows.
Paraguay tea; cochineal; Ilex paraguariensis
