Mealybugs Insects & Bromeliads
Mealybugs Insects Information for Bromeliad Plants
Mealybugs derive their name from the fine powdery or “mealy” wax that is secreted by specialized pores on their bodies. Some species will have wax filaments arising from the lateral margins and/or the posterior end of their body (Dysmicoccus, Planococcus, Pseudococcus). However, there are some species which lack these wax filaments (Rhizoecus sp.). Many species of mealybugs are considered significant plant pests that can cause wilting, chlorosis and occasionally death of the host plant.
Pseudococcidae-Mealybugs
Pseudococcidae-Mealybugs are bromeliad suckers and are serious pests of many common agricultural crops as well as being bothersome to many gardeners. They have a pink colored appearance and are covered by powdery ‘mealy’-like wax. Like many other insects, they produce a sugary substance, honeydew, that is attractive to ants. The ants patrol the insects and in doing so scare away predators and parasitoids thus benefiting the bugs.
Common Species on Bromeliads
- Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell)-Pineapple mealybug. The pineapple mealybug is a fairly common mealybug within Florida and occurs on a wide range of host plants where it may be found both above and below ground. Like other mealybugs, pineapple mealybug is covered with a fine white wax. It has lateral filaments (rays) arising from the body.
- Dysmicoccus mckenziei Beardsley. This mealybug has no common name and is prevalent in Central and South America on various bromeliads. It closely resembles the pineapple mealybug but is slightly larger and has longer filaments arising from the abdomen. It is generally associated with the aerial portions of the host plant.
- Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell)-Striped mealybug. The striped mealybug is easy to recognize with the two dark stripes running lengthwise along the dorsum, lacking lateral wax filaments and having crystalline rods arising from the body. This mealybug is very common in Florida on a wide range of host plants.
- Planococcus citri (Risso)-Citrus mealybug. Citrus mealybug is a common pest of many ornamental plants as well as citrus within Florida. It is easily recognized by having short “wedge-shaped” rays occurring around the margin of the body and the presence of a single dark stripe running lengthwise along the dorsum. It is found on the aerial portions of the host foliage.
- Pseudococcus maritimus (Erhorn)-Grape mealybug. The grape mealybug has been known to be a pest of a wide variety of plants. It is easy to recognize with lateral waxy filaments arising from the margins of the body as well as two long waxy filaments arising from the abdomen (rear) of the insect. The overall color of this mealybug is white to yellow with a gray to dark stripe running three quarters the length of the body.
- Rhizoecus americanus and Rhizoecus floridanus. Mealybugs in the genus Rhizoecus feed on the roots of their host plants and are typically hard to control. They are generally very small (0.5 to 1 mm), white and lack lateral filaments. The first thing growers will notice is the presence of white wax on the roots (or below ground plant parts). Generally, the mealybugs are relatively close to these areas.
Mealybugs Insects & Bromeliads
June 4, 2006
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Bromeliads Information » Bromeliad Insects Overview posted on May 25, 2006:
[…] Mealybugs and root mealybugs, both characterized by their cotton-wool protective covering, may also attack bromeliads. When mature, mealybugs vary from 1/5 to 1/3-inch long and some species have long wax filaments extending from the rear of the body. They damage bromeliads by sucking plant juices. […]