Madeira Mealybugs – Phenacoccus madeirensis

Madeira Mealybugs (Phenacoccus madeirensis)

Common Name: Phenacoccus madeirensis

Latin Name: Madeira Mealybugs

Appearance:

• Mealybugs of many species can be pests of the greenhouse, nursery, and landscaping plants. The citrus mealybug and longtailed mealybug are the most frequent, although other species such as Madeira mealybug, miscanthus mealybug, and different root mealybugs are also found. Mealybugs, in general, create identical damaging signs and are treated similarly.
• Female mealybugs are round, squishy insects with no wings. They can grow to be up to 3mm long. Some species are coated in soft wax, while others have long fluffy wax tails.
• Male mealybugs are gnat-like insects with four eyes, two wings, and long white wax tails. The ovisac is a noticeable thick, fluffy, white mass of wax covering mealybugs’ eggs.
• Nymphs are flat, oval, and yellow when they are young. Some species’ older nymphs are coated in soft, white wax.

Host plant:

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a new host for P. madeirensis

Damages caused by Madeira Mealybugs:

Mealybugs are pests of ornamental crops both inside and outdoors worldwide. They are most active when the weather is warm and dry. Mealybugs may infest nearly all ornamental plant species. Mealybugs cause plant harm by putting their threadlike mouthparts into the plant and sucking out the sap. Honeydew, a sweet, sticky liquid, is excreted by mealybugs. Sooty molds frequently thrive in honeydew, turning afflicted plants black. The citrus mealybug’s saliva contains a poison that causes its host plants to shed leaves and buds. Mealybugs, their ovisacs, honeydew, and sooty molds disfigure heavily infected plants.

Life history and habits:

Several mealybug species may be pests of the greenhouse, nursery, and landscaping plants. The citrus mealybug and longtailed mealybug are the most frequent, although other species such as Madeira mealybug, miscanthus mealybug, and different root mealybugs can also be found. Mealybugs, in general, create identical harm signs and are treated in similar methods. Female mealybugs are soft oval insects with no wings. They can be up to 3mm long. Some species are coated in soft wax, while others have long, fluffy wax tails. Male mealybugs are small, gnat-like insects with four eyes, two wings, and long white wax tails. The ovisac is a noticeable thick, fluffy, white mound of wax that covers mealybug eggs. Young nymphs are flat, oblong, and yellow. Some species’ older nymphs are coated in soft white wax.