Mealybug

Natural Habitat

Typically found on the stems, leaves, and roots of indoor and outdoor plants in warm, moist environments.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant juices (phloem).

Behavior Patterns

They secrete a powdery waxy layer for protection and excrete a sticky substance called honeydew. They are relatively slow-moving and often cluster together in hidden parts of plants.

Risks & Benefits

They are significant agricultural and horticultural pests that can weaken or kill plants and spread diseases. They have no direct health risk to humans but can cause significant economic damage to crops and houseplants.

Identified on: 5/21/2026