Pink Hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green)

 

What is this?

The pink hibiscus mealybug is a sap-sucking insect which is typically observed as clusters of small soft-bodied insects in cotton-like masses covering buds, stems, fruit, and roots, and in extreme cases the entire plant. The insect has a life cycle of 24 to 30 days. The female mealybug produces more than ten (10) generations per year in colonies of 500 eggs or more.

What it does.

This mealybug attacks more than 125 plant species. It feeds on the sap of the plant and releases toxic substances causing injury and death to the plant. It is spread by wind, by ants, or it can be stuck on clothing or on the hair of animals.

Signs of attack are easy to recognize.

One or more of the following symptoms may be seen:

 

Fruit trees attacked.

Papaya Carambola Avocado Citrus
Sugar-apple Soursop Mango Breadfruit
Golden Apple Cherry Plum Guava
Pigeon Pea Passion Fruit Grape Banana

 

Vegetables attacked.

Tomato Cucumber
Pumpkin Peppers
Okra Dasheen
Lettuce Cabbage
Beans Squash

 

 

Ornamentals attacked.

Hibiscus Bougainvillea
Croton Oleander
Allamanda Ixora
Anthurium Ginger Lily
Heliconia Schefflera
Lantana Ficus
Seagrape Numerous Weeds

 

The United States Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services seek your assistance to prevent the introduction of the pink hibiscus mealybug into the United States.

How you can help.

  1. Ensure that all plants, fruits, and vegetables brought into the United States, particularly from Central America and the Caribbean, are properly inspected and cleared at U.S. ports of entry.
  2. Monitor all imported plants for white fluffy masses on buds, stems, fruit, and roots.
  3. Report suspect pink hibiscus mealybug infestations to your local office of the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services-- Division of Plant Industry, or your local USDA office.

 

HELP US PREVENT THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS TERRIBLE PEST INTO THE UNITED STATES

 

For further information contact your local office of:

The United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Miami: 305-526-2825
Orlando: 407-648-6856

The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Division of Plant Industry
Miami: 305-252-4360
Apopka: 407-884-2030
Gainesville: 352-372-3505

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Return to MREC-ENTOMOLOGY- Common mealybugs that attach foliage plants.