mealybug

/mee"lee bug'/, n.

any of several scalelike, homopterous insects of the families Pseudococcidae and Eriococcidae that are covered with a powdery wax secretion and feed on plants.

[1815-25; MEALY + BUG¹]

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Any insect of the family Pseudococcidae (order Homoptera).

Not a true bug, the mealybug is covered by a white sticky powder resembling cornmeal. The females, about 0.4 in. (1 cm) long, and "crawlers" (the active young) cluster along the veins and undersides of leaves, especially of citrus trees and potted plants; the males are active two-winged fliers. Common species are the citrus mealybug (Pseudococcus citri) and the citrophilus mealybug (P. gahani).

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▪ insect

      any of a group of small, sap-sucking insects (order Homoptera) that are worldwide in distribution and attack citrus trees and ornamental plants, especially in interior plantscapes and greenhouses. Observed most frequently is the ovoid, sluggish mature female, about 1 cm (0.4 inch) long.

      The name mealybug is descriptive of the insect's body, which is covered by a white sticky powder resembling cornmeal. The females and “crawlers,” or active young, cluster along the veins on the undersides of leaves. Males are active fliers and have only two wings. Common members of the Pseudococcidae are the citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) and the citrophilus mealybug (Pseudococcus calceolariae). Biological control and insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, and traditional insecticides have been effective against these pests.

      Mealybugs are related to scales, whiteflies, and aphids.

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