Spherical mealybug (Nipaecoccus viridis)
The spherical mealybug
- In Western Australia, this species has only been found in Kununurra, and in Australia is recorded as a problem only in north Queensland. Worldwide, it is found in tropical and subtropical areas.
Description
- Adult female is 2.5-4 mm long, oval, slightly flattened in shape and covered with creamy white wax. Eggs and crawlers are purple.
- The body just visible under the wax is a purplish colour and body fluid is purple. The body of the female is usually almost hidden by the large white domed egg sac.
- Unlike other mealybugs, spherical mealybugs cluster in colonies on leaves and shoots.
Life cycle
- Eggs are laid in an egg sac which resembles a white, cottony, hemispherical mass behind the female. Females can lay up to 500 purplish eggs.
- In north Queensland at least six generations are produced a year.
Pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus)
Pink hibiscus mealybugs (Maconellicoccus hirsutus) and egg sacs on citrus
- In Western Australia, this species has only been found in Kununurra and is regarded to be a tropical species. In addition to citrus, it has been found on a wide range of hosts including capsicum, fig, hibiscus, grape, mango, squash and tomato.
Description
- Adult female is greyish-pink, 3 mm long and oval in shape.
- The body just visible under the wax is a pinkish-red colour and when crushed, the body fluids are pink.
- There are four stages including the crawler stage.
- Eggs are deposited in egg sacs which may be found on leaves, twigs, branches and fruit.