Cottonly Mealybug
Planococcus citri · Insect, Invertebrate, Cold-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Family Pseudococcidae, order Hemiptera, class Insecta
Animal Category
Insect/Arthropod
Breed / Variety
Citrus Mealybug
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated by IUCN, often considered a significant agricultural pest with high populations.
About This Creature
Small, soft-bodied, wingless insects covered in a white, powdery or mealy wax secretion, typically measuring 3mm in length.
Physical Characteristics
Segmented body covered in white waxy filaments, piercing-sucking mouthparts, short antennae, and reduced legs; secretes honeydew.
Behavior & Temperament
Sessile or slow-moving, gregarious, feeding constantly on plant phloem, secretes honeydew which attracts ants.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Global distribution in tropical and subtropical regions, commonly found in greenhouses worldwide.
Habitat
Agricultural, terrestrial, plant surfaces, greenhouse environments
Diet & Nutrition
Herbivore, feeds exclusively on plant sap (phloem) using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Lifespan & Health
Lifecycle lasts around 30 to 60 days depending on temperature, females lay hundreds of eggs in a waxy ovisac.
Special Characteristics
Produces protective waxy coatings that repel water and insecticides, forms mutualistic relationships with ants that protect them from predators.
Ecological Information
Acts as an agricultural pest damaging crops and ornamentals, serves as prey for beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.