Skip to main content

Pseudococcidae (mealybugs)


Available Languages:

English

Narrower Topics

Related Topics: Pseudococcidae (mealybugs), Citrus Insects and Mites

Pasture Mealybug

The pasture mealybug is a new invasive insect pest that has recently been detected in Florida and is causing concern for pasture, hay, turfgrass, and sugarcane producers. Real-time updates can be found on the UF/IFAS Extension Forage Team's Pasture Mealybug page.

The pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei Brookes) is a grass-specialist insect pest (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) recently found in Florida that can be problematic for pastures, hayfields, sod production, turfgrass, and sugarcane. As of June 19th, 2026, surveys have confirmed the mealybug in fifteen Florida counties including: Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, and St. Lucie. The most damage has been observed on limpograss and sugarcane, but several other grass species are being affected, including bahiagrass and bermudagrass. 

Publications


Showing 11 of 11 Publications

Coconut Mealybug Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Adriana Espinosa, Amanda Hodges, Greg Hodges, and Catharine Mannion

Tuttle Mealybug Brevennia rehi (Lindinger) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Ian Stocks
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Papaya Mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Alison Walker, Marjorie Hoy and Dale Meyerdirk

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Pineapple Mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, Ashley A. Egelie, andJennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Longtailed Mealybug Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, Morgan A. Byron, andJennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutu (Green)

M. A. Hoy, A. Hamon, and R. Nguyen

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides an in-depth profile of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, a serious pest affecting various plants in tropical and subtropical regions. It details the pest's introduction to Florida, its potential impact on crops and ornamental plants, and the increased pesticide use required for management. The article also discusses the mealybug's distribution, life cycle, and damage caused to plants. Additionally, it explores biological control methods, including the use of natural enemies like ladybugs and parasitoids to suppress mealybug populations.

A Mealybug Phenacoccus multicerarii Granara de Willink (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Ian Stocks
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Mealybug Vryburgia trionymoides (DeLotto) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Ian Stocks
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Citrus Mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Harsimran K. Gill, Gaurav Goyal, Harsimran K. Gill, Gaurav Goyal, Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, andJennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.