mealybug

mealybug
/mee"lee bug'/, n.
any of several scalelike, homopterous insects of the families Pseudococcidae and Eriococcidae that are covered with a powdery wax secretion and feed on plants.
[1815-25; MEALY + BUG1]

* * *

Any insect of the family Pseudococcidae (order Homoptera).

Not a true bug, the mealybug is covered by a white sticky powder resembling cornmeal. The females, about 0.4 in. (1 cm) long, and "crawlers" (the active young) cluster along the veins and undersides of leaves, especially of citrus trees and potted plants; the males are active two-winged fliers. Common species are the citrus mealybug (Pseudococcus citri) and the citrophilus mealybug (P. gahani).

* * *

insect
      any of a group of small, sap-sucking insects (order Homoptera) that are worldwide in distribution and attack citrus trees and ornamental plants, especially in interior plantscapes and greenhouses. Observed most frequently is the ovoid, sluggish mature female, about 1 cm (0.4 inch) long.

      The name mealybug is descriptive of the insect's body, which is covered by a white sticky powder resembling cornmeal. The females and “crawlers,” or active young, cluster along the veins on the undersides of leaves. Males are active fliers and have only two wings. Common members of the Pseudococcidae are the citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) and the citrophilus mealybug (Pseudococcus calceolariae). Biological control and insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, and traditional insecticides have been effective against these pests.

      Mealybugs are related to scales, whiteflies, and aphids.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • mealybug — meal y*bug , mealy bug mealy bug (m[=e]l [y^]*b[u^]g ), n. (Zo[ o]l.), Any of several homopteran scale insects (as, {Coccus adonidum}, and related species of the families {Pseudococcidae} and {Eriococcidae}), that cover themselves with a white… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mealybug — [mēl′ēbug΄] n. any of a family (Pseudococcidae) of destructive homopteran insects, having a soft body protected by a white, flourlike or cottony wax secretion …   English World dictionary

  • Mealybug — Mealybugs Maconellicoccus hirsutus, the pink hibiscus mealybug Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • mealybug — noun scalelike plant eating insect coated with a powdery waxy secretion; destructive especially of fruit trees • Syn: ↑mealy bug • Hypernyms: ↑coccid insect • Hyponyms: ↑citrophilous mealybug, ↑citrophilus mealybug, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • mealybug wilt — noun : a wilt of the pineapple especially destructive in Hawaii that is associated with the feeding of the pineapple mealybug …   Useful english dictionary

  • mealybug — noun Date: 1824 any of a family (Pseudococcidae) of scale insects that have a white cottony or waxy covering and are destructive pests especially of fruit trees …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mealybug — noun Any of various insects of the family Pseudococcidae, that secrete a powdery wax and are pests of fruit trees …   Wiktionary

  • mealybug — mɪːlɪbÊŒg n. any of several soft bodied insects which excrete a white powdery substance …   English contemporary dictionary

  • mealybug —   Any of the scale insects belonging to the Family Pseudococcidae that have a white powdery covering and are destructive plant pests, e.g. especially of species like Zamia furfuracea that have dense crowns of leaves …   Expanded glossary of Cycad terms

  • mealybug — meal•y•bug [[t]ˈmi liˌbʌg[/t]] n. ent any of several scalelike homopterous insects of the families Pseudococcidae and Eriococcidae that are covered with a powdery wax secretion and feed on plants • Etymology: 1815–25 …   From formal English to slang

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”