| So... What's a Mealybug? Adult female mealybugs have soft bodies which range from 1/10" to 1/4" in length. Their bodies are covered with a waxy material. The secretion of this waxy material helps to protect their eggs and nymphs from the elements. The male mealybug is an extremely small insect having two wings. Male mealybugs live only a short period of time and do not feed, they exist only to reproduce. Mealybug nymphs look like an identical, much smaller version of the adults. Reproduction Patterns of Mealybugs
In the citrus mealybug, the male is not necessary for reproduction, while in the long-tailed mealybug, the male is necessary for reproduction to take place. 
The female mealybug deposits her eggs in a cotton-like pouch and they hatch in a little over a week. The hatchlings are known as "crawlers" because they crawl to a spot where they can feed and continue to mature. They will develop into adults in about 1-2 months. There can be several generations in a year, which can particularly frustrating for greenhouses with infestations of mealybugs. Mealybug's Habitat Mealybugs can be found throught North America. Certain species of mealybugs are more prevalent in specific regions of the United States. Mealybugs can be found on potatoes, fruit crops, ornamental plants, citrus plants and tropical plants. They are more common in warm, moist climates but they seem to be able to flourish in greenhouses in all regions. Safer®Brand brings you a variety of effective insect control products that are gentler on the environment! Most of them proudly display the OMRI Listed® organic seal and comply for use in organic gardening! 
| 
