Mealybugs & Mealybug Look-Alikes
of the Southeastern United States
This publication was produced and distributed by USDA-CSREES Integrated \
Pest Management
•
Centers in cooperation with the National Plant Diagnostic Network, APHIS, the National Plant Board,
and the Land Grant Universities. USDA-CSREES Critical Needs grant 2005-\
1763-02 ‘Early Detec -
tion and Rapid Response System for the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug through Ed\
ucation, Training, and
Implementation of Integrated Pest Management’, by J. VanKirk, G. Wisler, R. Hammerschmidt, and
S. Ratcliffe, funded graphic design and printing for this publication. Content de\
velopment was funded
through the USDA-CSREES Southern Plant Diagnostic Network, the Universit\
y of Florida, Institute of
Food & Agricultural Sciences, and the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division
of Plant Industry.
Publication Information
For further information regarding the development of this document, cont\
act Amanda Hodges at
•
achodges@ufl.edu or by phone at (352) 392-1901 ext. 199
Susan Ratcliffe
• , University of Illinois, NCIPMC, Project Coordinator
Scott Martin
• , University of Illinois, NCIPMC, Graphic Design
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2
1 INCHES 56
4
3
2
1 MM
Amanda Hodges
• , SPDN, University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Ento -
mology & Nematology Department
Gregory Hodges
• , Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Plant
Industry
Lyle Buss
• , University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Entomology & Nema -
tology Department
Lance Osborne
• , University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Mid-Florida
Research & Education Center
Authors
Photo Credits
Lyle Buss, University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Entomology &
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Nematology Department - 001c, 001d, 005, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012, 013, 014a, 014c, 015, 016,
017, 019a, 019b, 020a, 021a, 022a, 022b, 023b, 026, 027, 028, 029a, 029b, 030, 031, 032, 034,
036, 037, 038a, 039, Cover Photo
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry
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001a, 002, 004, 007, 014b, 018, 020b, 021b, 023a, 024, 025, 033, 035, 040
Lance Osborne, University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Mid-Florida
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Research & Education Center - 001b
Catharine Mannion, University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Tropical
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Research & Education Center - 003, 006
Mike Merchant, Texas A&M University, Texas AgriLife Extension Service -
• 038b
Page 001
Mealybugs (Family Pseudococcidae)
Page 022
Cottony Cushion Scale & Related Species (Family Margarodidae)
Page 024
Soft Scales (Family Coccidae)
Page 038
Felt Scales (Family Eriococcidae)Page 040
Cochineal Scales (Family Dactylopiidae)
Mealybugs & Mealybug Look-Alikes of the Southeastern United States
What are mealybugs?
Mealybugs are plant pests that feed by piercing-sucking mouthparts. They are classified in
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the family Pseudococcidae. Mealybugs, along with soft scales (Coccidae) and armored scales
(Diaspididae), are the most common families of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea).
Approximately 11 of the 21 species of exotic scales and mealybugs that have established in the
•
United States during the past 20 years are currently considered problema\
tic pests. Four of these
species are mealybugs: pink hibiscus mealybug, miscanthus mealybug, papaya mealybug, and vine
mealybug.
Most exotic scales and mealybugs of concern feed on a wide range of plants species, and they are
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capable of rapid population explosions.
Awareness of common field characteristics promotes early detection for pests of concern.
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Mealybugs of the Southeastern United States
Why are mealybugs important?
How do you identify mealybugs?
The common name “mealybug” is derived from the fine powdery to “mealy” wax that covers the
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body. Adult female mealybugs are wingless and the best life stage for identification. Adult male
mealybugs are winged, but they are rarely seen except with specific chemical-based trapping
systems. Most adult female mealybugs are small (a few millimeters to typically less than 1/2 inch),
and a hand lens is useful for scouting. The immature or active “crawler” stage of mealybugs is
typically less than half a millimeter and may be readily dispersed to ne\
w plants via wind currents.
Body shape, size, and color.
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The number of wax filaments protruding from the side of the body.
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Presence and length of wax filaments at the end of the body (i.e., terminal wax filaments).
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Color of eggs (if present).
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Presence of an ovisac (a waxy mass covering the eggs).
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Stripes on the body.
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Color of fluids when crushed.
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The following characteristics are useful for field identification:
Because mealybugs feed on plant juices they produce honeydew. Honeydew (a sugary, sticky
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substance) promotes the growth of black sooty mold. Sooty mold may inhibit plant photosynthesis.
Other signs of plant damage may include stunted plant growth, wilting, a\
nd crinkled leaves. Mealy -
bugs commonly feed on new plant growth. The pink hibiscus mealybug also injects a toxic saliva
while feeding, and a characteristic known as “bunchy top” is often\
seen on its preferred host plant,
hibiscus.
Plant damage
Chemical and biological control options may be available for some mealyb\
ug and scale insect
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species. A general website focusing on mealybugs is available at http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/LSO/
Mealybug.htm. Biological control options often include species-specific parasitoids, and chemi -
cal recommendations may vary depending on pest species or local recommen\
dations. Your local
county extension service is the best source for information regarding chemical controls in your area.
General mealybug integrated pest management
Both biological and chemical control options are available for pink hibi\
scus mealybug. Once this
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pest has established in the landscape, biological control options are mo\
st often recommended.
The most common natural enemies of pink hibiscus mealybug include the me\
alybug destroyer,
Cryptolaemus montrouzieeri, and the parasitic wasps, Anagyrus kamali and Gyranusoidea indica.
In contrast, chemical options may be the only choice in a commercial/nursery setting.
General mealybug integrated pest management
Pink hibiscus mealybug is considered a regulatory pest of concern; subse\
quently, there is a zero tol-
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erance for shipment of infested plant material. Please refer to the Pin\
k Hibiscus Mealybug website
http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/pinkmealybug.htm for the latest up-to-date information on pink hibiscus
mealybug management.
Mealybugs in this deck have been classified as the following:
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Warning! This deck is not a comprehensive listing of all mealybugs. Although useful as a
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field screening tool, field identification is not definitive for new county, host, state, or confi -
dential records. Slide mounting of specimens and identification by a specialist is necessary
for species-level confirmation.
Warning
Exotic: Not native to the United States, but has invaded.
1.
Native: Native to the United States, or due to its widespread distribution and long-term establish -
2.
ment in the United States, its origin is uncertain.
001001
EXOTIC
Maconellicoccus hirsutus
Pink Hibiscus Mealybug
Common Hosts
Known Southeastern Distribution Field Recognition
Body color pink, about 3 mm long, no to few lateral (side) wax filaments,
body fluid red to pink in color. Ovisacs are present covering pink to
orange eggs. Feeding from pink hibiscus mealybug can cause twisted
or distorted foilage. High populations may result in leaf drop.
Over 200 known hosts occur, but the most common host detected
to-date is Hibiscus. Pink hibiscus mealybug could be a problematic pest\
for some of major agronomic crops in the southeastern U.S. if estab
-
lished populations are nearby. Cotton, a close relative of hibiscus, is of
particular concern. Established in Florida (2002) and limited populations detected in
Louisiana (2006) and Texas (2007).
Pink Hibiscus Mealybug
Maconellicoccus hirsutus
Bunchy Top
001001
EXOTIC
Maconellicoccus hirsutus
Pink Hibiscus Mealybug
Common Hosts
Known Southeastern Distribution Field Recognition
Body pink, about 3 mm long, no to few lateral (side) wax filaments, body
fluid red to pink. Ovisacs are present covering pink to orange eggs.
Feeding from pink hibiscus mealybug can cause twisted or distorted foil
-
age. High populations may result in leaf drop.
More than 200 known hosts occur, but the most common host detected
to date is hibiscus. Pink hibiscus mealybug could be a problematic pest\
for some of major agronomic crops in the southeastern United States if
established populations are nearby. Cotton, a close relative of hibiscus,
is of particular concern. Established in Florida (2002) and limited populations detected in
Louisiana (2006) and Texas (2007).
