A to Z of Pests

Mealybugs

Pseudococcidae

Appearance

• Adults 1 to 5mm. Mealybugs are usually covered with a white waxy powder and have soft pink bodies. They are segmented and have a waxy filament extending from their rear giving the appearance of a tail.

Lifecycle

• The citrus mealybug female produces about 600 eggs, which are laid in structures called ovisacs.
• The eggs hatch in less than 10 days into small nymphs, which move about the plants and locate feeding sites.
• There may be up to six generations per year.

Habits

• Mealybugs feed on a very wide range of host plants.
• Mealybugs stunt plant growth, causing leaf distortion or loss, yellowing, and in some cases, plants can be killed
• Mealybugs produce large amounts of honeydew, which can coat plants and surrounding surfaces with a sticky layer.