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Pestsense

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Pest
(factsheet)
Pest NameDescription 
MealybugsMealybugsSeveral species of mealybugs can attack houseplants. Mealybugs get their name from the white, powdery or cottony wax which covers their grayish to pinkish bodies. This cottony material is often the earliest sign of an infestation to be noticed. They are slender, flattened, soft-bodied insects which feed by sucking juices from leaves and stems. Mealybugs are usually about 3/16” long. They may be found on the undersides of leaves, in the joints where stems branch, or in protected areas and crevices anywhere on the plant, including at the base of the plant and even below the soil. Symptoms of mealybug feeding include leaf drop, stunting, or even plant death. Mealybugs may also produce honeydew, a shiny, sticky substance which may accumulate on lower leaves or surfaces below infested plants. Black sooty mold will sometimes grow on the honeydew. While the mold will not harm the plant, it is unsightly and may become a problem on household surfaces.