Bug Identifier
Mealybug
Community identification

Mealybug

Pseudococcus spp.

Order & Family
Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae
Size
1 to 4 mm
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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