- Worldwide distribution. In tropics and sub-tropics. On crops and weeds in more than 50 families. An important pest.
- The mealybug gives birth to nymphs (“crawlers”), that moult to 2.5 mm adults covered in thick white wax, orange beneath.
- Spread is in fruit trade and that for planting material.
- Spreads Pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus.
- Natural enemies; parasitoids and predators. Biocontrol successful when ants are controlled.
- Cultural control: treat crowns/slips in hot water (50°C for 30 mins.); cultivate to kill ants; avoid overlapping crops; remove diseased plants; weed.
- Chemical control: dip planting material in diazinon and white oil; ants – baits and synthetic pyrethroids
