Mealybug (or a Mealybug-like insect)

Natural Habitat

Typically found on plants in warm, moist climates, greenhouses, or indoors on houseplants. They prefer concealed areas like leaf axils or undersides of leaves.

Diet & Feeding

They feed on plant sap (phloem) by piercing plant tissues with their needle-like mouthparts. They excrete a sticky substance called honeydew.

Behavior Patterns

They are slow-moving or stationary insects that often congregate in colonies. They produce a white, waxy, cotton-like substance for protection. They are known to have a mutualistic relationship with ants.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Major agricultural and horticultural pests. They weaken plants, cause yellowing and leaf drop, and their honeydew promotes the growth of sooty mold. Benefits: Generally considered pests, though they are part of the food web for predators like ladybugs and lacewings.

Identified on: 2/19/2026