ScientificName: Order Homoptera, family Pseudococcidae, many species
Description: Grayish white, soft, oval, bodies with a waxy coating.
Habitat/Food: Mealybugs appear on fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and houseplants. They suck the juices from the soft growth of variety of plants. Houseplants are very susceptible to an infestation.
Life Cycle: Females lay eggs in a white spider web type substance on the host plant. They hatch within 2 weeks and start to feed immediately.
Organic Control: Many plant oil based products can be used for the control of mealybugs. Use seaweed on stressed plants.
Interesting Fact: Some species of mealybugs give birth to hundreds of live young.