
Community identification
Mealybug
Pseudococcus spp.
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae
- Size
- 1 to 4 mm
Natural Habitat
Greenhouses, agricultural crops, and indoor houseplants
Diet & Feeding
Plant sap (phloem) extracted using piercing-sucking mouthparts
Behavior Patterns
Slow-moving insects that secrete a white waxy substance for protection; often aggregate in protected areas of plants like leaf axils
Risks & Benefits
Major agricultural pests that cause plant stuntedness and leaf drop; they excrete honeydew which promotes sooty mold growth