Adults 1 to 5mm. Mealybugs are usually covered with a white waxy powder and have soft pink bodies. They are segmented and have a waxy filament extending from their rear giving the appearance of a tail.
Lifecycle
The citrus mealybug female produces about 600 eggs, which are laid in structures called ovisacs.
The eggs hatch in less than 10 days into small nymphs, which move about the plants and locate feeding sites.
There may be up to six generations per year.
Habits
Mealybugs feed on a very wide range of host plants.
Mealybugs stunt plant growth, causing leaf distortion or loss, yellowing, and in some cases, plants can be killed.
Mealybugs produce large amounts of honeydew, which can coat plants and surrounding surfaces with a sticky layer.