Mealybug

Warm, moist environments, often found on the undersides of leaves, in leaf axils, or on plant stems in gardens and greenhouses.

Herbivorous; they pierce plant tissues with their mouthparts and feed on the sap (phloem).

They are slow-moving and often crawl to find new feeding sites. They secrete a white, waxy substance for protection, giving them a cottony appearance. Common life cycle involves eggs, several nymphal instars, and adults.

Significant plant pests that can cause yellowing, stunted growth, and leaf drop. They secrete honeydew, which can lead to sooty mold growth. They offer no notable benefits to ecosystems and are generally considered undesired.