Mealybug

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide, primarily in warmer climates or indoors on houseplants and in greenhouses. They thrive in nooks and crannies of plants, such as leaf axils and beneath loose bark.

Diet & Feeding

Plant sap (phloem). They pierce plant tissue with stylets to suck out juices, often excreting a sugary substance called honeydew.

Behavior Patterns

They are slow-moving insects that tend to cluster together in white, cottony masses for protection. Females are often wingless and sedentary, while males are winged but short-lived. They have a symbiotic relationship with ants, which protect them in exchange for honeydew.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Major agricultural and horticultural pests. They weaken plants, cause yellowing and leaf drop, and their honeydew promotes the growth of sooty mold. Benefits: Generally considered pests, though they do serve as a food source for some predators like ladybugs and lacewings.

Identified on: 2/20/2026