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In certain species, reproduction under greenhouse conditions is year-round.
All individuals are female, and reproduce without the need for males.
This means the nymphs or young are achieved without fertilization, therefore the escape of a single individual, may allow the infestation to continue.
Some mealybug species can produce 100-300 eggs
The egg is sac covered with a waxy secretions.
They are soft-bodied insects generally recognised by the covering of white, waxy threads, and can infest a wide range of foliage plants
A by-product of mealybug feeding is sticky honeydew which coats infested foliage.
Mealybugs, like aphids, are active throughout most of their life.
Infestations are frequently visible on indoor pot plants, succulents, cacti and others grown in relatively dry compost.
The infestations can occur within the vegetative shoot apex, making them extremely difficult to detect and control.
Heavy infestations can cause plants to suffer from a lack of vigour.
Some insecticides may help to control infestations, but the most effective method, is to use a natural predator such as crytptolaemus montrouzieri.
n.b It is wise to take cuttings from an infested plant and discard the rest, including the potting compost.
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