MEALYBUGS
Female mealybugs are soft oval insects without wings. They are up to 3 mm long. Some species are covered with fluffy wax and others have long, tails of fluffy wax. Male mealybugs are tiny, gnatlike insects with two wings and long tails of white wax.
Mealybug eggs are very small but are covered by a conspicuous dense, fluffy, white mass of wax called the ovisac.
Very young nymphs are flat, oval and yellow. Older nymphs of some species are covered with fluffy, white wax.
Female mealybugs have no wings and must be transported directly to or near
the next host plant. They can travel short distances by crawling or the very
young nymphs may be blown about by the wind or carried on the feet of birds.
Small numbers of mealybugs are easily overlooked as they tend to wedge into
crevices on plants. Mealybugs are usually found at the base of stems (or petioles
of plants with long petioles such as African violets). After the first batch
of eggs hatch, the infestation becomes very noticeable. As their numbers increase,
mealybugs of all sizes can be found crawling around or feeding on all surfaces
of the plant. 
Each female usually lays from 200 to 600 eggs in the tick ovisac. Some species of mealybugs give birth to live young. After several weeks, the nymphs develop into adults. Male nymphs secrete a tiny, fluffy cocoon and develop into winged adults. Males then fly about seeking females to mate with.
| Pesticide | (Trade Name) | Formulation and Amount |
| acephate | (Orthene) | OUTSIDE ONLY 9.4% emulsifiable concentrate: 3 tablespoons per gallon of water |
| acephate | (Orthene) | 76% 1 to 2 teaspoons per gallon of water |
| acetamiprid | (Tristar) | foliar application only |
| azadirachtin | (Azatin XL, *BioNeem) | 3 and 4.5% emulsifiable concentrate: 2/3 teaspoon and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water |
| bendiocarb | (Ficam,Dycarb) | 76% wettable powder: 3/4 teaspoon per gallon of water |
| bifenthrin | (Talstar) | 10% wettable powder: 1 to 5 teaspoons per gallon of water |
Beauveria bassiana |
(BotaniGard) | 12 hr. REI. Follow label directions. |
| buprofezin | (Talus) | 12 hr. REI. Follow label directions. |
| *carbaryl | (Sevin) | 40% flowable liquid: 1 tablespoon per gallon of water |
| *carbaryl | (Sevin) | 50% wettable powder: 2 tablespoons per gallon of water |
| cyfluthrin | (Decathlon) | 20% wettable powder: 6 tablespoons per 100 gallons of water |
| fenpropathrin | (Tame) | 30%emulsifiable concentrate: 2/3 teaspoon per gallon of water |
| *fluvalinate | (Mavrik) | 23% aquaeous flowable: 1/8 to 5/8 teaspoon per gallon of water |
| imidacloprid | (Marathon) | Follow label directions. |
| kinoprene | (Enstar II) | 65.1% emulsifiable concentrate: 1/2 to 2/3 teaspoon per gallon of water |
| lamda-cyhalothrin | (Scimitar) | 24hr. REI. Follow label directions. |
| *malathion | 50 to 57% emulsifiable concentrate: 2 teaspoons per gallon of water | |
| *oil | (horticultural or summer) | 98 to 99% emulsifiable concentrate: 8 teaspoons per gallon or water |
| permethrin | (Astro)(*some formulations containing permethrin available for homeowners) | 36.8 emulsifiable concentrate: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons per gallon of water |
| thiamethoxam | (Flagship) | 12 hr. REI. Follow label directions. |
| *soap | (M-Pede, Olympic, Safer's Insecticidal Soaps) | 50.5% emulsifiable concentrate: 2 to 5 tablespoons per gallon of water |
Useful References: http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/Mealybugs.htm
Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact an agent of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in your county.
© 2001 NC Cooperative Extension Service
ENT/ort-19
Web page last reviewed January, 2008 by the webperson.
