Mealybug / Scale Insect Nymph (Crawl stage)
Scientific Name: Pseudococcidae (Family level)
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Pseudococcidae
Size: 1 to 4 mm (adults), nymphs are significantly smaller and appear as tiny white specks.
Natural Habitat
Found on the leaves, stems, and roots of a wide variety of plants worldwide, both indoors and outdoors.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap (phloem).
Behavior Patterns
Nymphs or 'crawlers' are the mobile stage that search for feeding spots. Once settled, they often produce a waxy, white cottony coating for protection.
Risks & Benefits
Significant agricultural and houseplant pests. They weaken plants, cause yellowing, and secrete honeydew which promotes sooty mold growth; they pose no direct risk to human health.
Identified on: 5/31/2026