Long-tailed mealybug - Pseudococcus longispinus

By N A Martin (2019)

Caption:

Classification

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hemiptera

Superfamily

Coccoidea

Family

Pseudococcidae

Scientific name

Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti, 1867)

Common names

Long-tailed mealybug

Synonyms

Dactylopius longispinus Targioni Tozzetti, 1867

Dactylopius longifilis Comstock, 1881

Boisduvalia lauri Signoret 1875

Oudablis lauri (Signoret 1875)

Coccus laurinus Boisduval, 1867

Pseudococcus laurinus (Boisduval, 1867)

Dactylopius hoyae Signoret, 1875

Dactylopius pteridis Signoret, 1875

Dactylopius adonidum (Linnaeus), (Maskell (1890), misidentification)

Biostatus and distribution

The adventive Long-tailed mealybug has been in New Zealand for over 100 years. It lives on a wide variety of cultivated, naturalised and native plants. It is a pest on outdoor plants and those grown in greenhouses.

Conservation status: This adventive mealybug is a pest of crops and plants in gardens and native reserves.

Life stages and annual cycle

Diagramme of the life cycle of a typical mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Creator: JM Cox. © Drawing published in Fauna of New Zealand 11:1-228, Fig. 1. [Image: 2F19]

The Long-tailed mealybug breeds all year. There are three to four generations depending upon locality and seasonal factors. During the summer all life stages are found on leaves and fruit, but when the weather becomes colder, the mealybugs move to more sheltered places such as under bark where they continue to reproduce. Breeding is slower at the lower winter temperatures. The time for a generation varies from 1 month in the heat of summer to 4 months during the cold of winter.

The mealybugs tend to live where they can find ‘shelter’ such as pushing up against the veins of plants, moulted skins of other insects, or against scale insects such as the Flocculent flax scale.

The adult female is oval, about 3 mm long. The body is yellowish-grey and may have a slightly darker stripe on its midline. The body is covered with powdery white wax and is surrounded by long white wax filaments. At the posterior end of the body are two pairs of much longer white wax filaments. The mature female has a pair of short antennae and three pairs of legs that are not visible from above. There is no distinct division between the head or thorax (middle section of the body) and abdomen. On the underside of the head there is a short rostrum that guides the feeding stylets. After mating and when it is fully grown, the female mealybug settles on the plant and produces a white fluffy wax chamber around herself. She gives live birth to small first instar (stage) nymphs.

Nymphs hatch from the eggs within the female’s body and are born live. The nymphs are like small orange-brown adult females. The pair of antennae and three pairs of legs are not visible from above. There are three female nymphal instars (stages) and two male nymphal instars. These feeding stages grow by moulting (changing skin). The second instar male makes a fluffy white cocoon in which develop two pre-adult non-feeding stages, a prepupa and a pupa. The prepupa and pupa have wing buds. The adult male emerges from the pupa. The moulted prepupal and pupal skins are pushed out the end of the cocoon. The adult male does not have a rostrum or stylets and does not feed. When it is ready to emerge from the cocoon, the back end of the cocoon is pushed open and the male backs out. After it has opened the back of the cocoon, its transparent wings (1 pair) expand and harden. The red bodied male grows a pair of long white wax tails. It is presumed that the wax tails help balance the insect in flight. The male may mate with females of the same colony or fly to another colony to mate.

Feeding and honeydew

Mealybug adult females and nymphs have sucking mouthparts. Specially shaped rods called stylets are held in the short sheath-like rostrum. When it wishes to feed, the mealybug moves the tip of the rostrum onto the surface of the plant leaf, stem or fruit. The stylets are then gradually pushed into the plant and manoeuvred into the phloem (nutrient transport vessels) of the plant. The mealybugs suck the plant’s sap, which is high in sugars and low in other nutrients. Mealybugs have a short white wax anal tube through which they excrete the excess sugary liquid, which is called honeydew.

Walking, flying and dispersal

The adult male has legs and wings. It can walk around the leaves where its cocoon was and it can fly to other leaves or to different plants. Adult females and nymphs also have legs and can walk. They may move about the group of leaves where they were born. In other insects with a none flying adult female, the first stage larvae or nymphs are able to disperse to new plants. They usually do this using the wind. It is likely that some first instar nymphs climb to a prominent place on a leaf or branch and await a gust of wind.

Adult female Long-tailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of Queensland kauri, Agathis robusta (Araucariaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300D]

Drawing of an adult female Long-tailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Creator: Jenifer M. Cox. © Drawing from DSIR Information Series No. 105/32. [Image: 300T]

Part of a colony of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax (Hemerocallidaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300A]

Part of a colony of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax (Hemerocallidaceae): note the Diaspididae scale insects that provided shelter for the young mealybugs during the establishment of the colony. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300F]

An adult female Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) sitting amongst wax on a leaf of New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax (Hemerocallidaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300G]

An adult female, larvae and nymphs of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of a cabbage tree, Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300I]

An adult female and nymphs of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax (Hemerocallidaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 3009]

An adult female and nymphs of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of a cabbage tree, Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae): note one nymph (bottom left hand corner) has just moulted. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300J]

A male pupa (arrow) of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) exposed in its white flocculent wax cocoon on a leaf of a cabbage tree, Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae): note the long wing buds. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300M]

A winged adult male Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) exposed in its cocoon on a leaf of a cabbage tree, Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300N]

A winged adult male Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of a cabbage tree, Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae): note the two white wax tails. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300K]

Recognition

Like many other mealybugs the long-tailed mealybug is covered by white wax. They are pale brown or purple under the wax. They may occur singly or in dense colonies. However, it can easily be recognised because it is the only species in New Zealand where the adult female has both four very long posterior tails and long lateral wax filaments. Other species may have two to four long posterior wax filaments and obvious lateral wax filaments.

Colony of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax (Hemerocallidaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300E]

Two mature female Long-fringed Astelia mealybug, Rastrococcus asteliae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on underside of Astelia hastatum (Asteliaceae) leaf, note the short white wax anal tube on the left end of each insect. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2F22]

Colony of Myrsine mealybug, Rastrococcus namartini (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on underside of Myrsine australis (Primulaceae) leaf. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2FA2]

Two female Long egg-sac mealybugs, Paracoccus glaucus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax (Hemerocallidaceae): note the pair of white wax tails. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2RE0]

Mealybug ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae feeding on two species of mealybug, Pseudococcus calceolariae and Pseudococcus longispinosus. Creator: DSIR Photographers. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300S]

Natural enemies

No pathogens of the Long-tailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus, are known in New Zealand.

Parasitoids

Twelve parasitoid and hyperpeparasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) have been reared from Long-tailed mealybugs in New Zealand. Some were deliberately released into New Zealand to provide biological control of the Long-tailed mealybug and other pest species.

Predators

Eight species of predator have been observed feeding on Long-tailed mealybugs. These predators include five species of ladybird (four adventive), larvae of two kinds of flies, predatory gall flies (Cecidomyiidae) and hoverflies (Syrphidae), and larvae of a lacewing.

Adult small hoverfly, Melanostoma fasciatum (Diptera: Syrphidae). Creator: Plant & Food Research Photographer. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 3F6]

A larva of the small hoverfly, Melanostoma fasciatum (Diptera: Syrphidae), feeding on an aphid. Creator: Plant & Food Research Photographer. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 3FA]

Two pupae of the small hoverfly, Melanostoma fasciatum (Diptera: Syrphidae) on a lettuce leaf. Creator: Plant & Food Research Photographer. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 3FB]

Adult mealybug ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2863]

Adult mealybug ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), feeding on mealybugs. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2CDT]

Top side of a fully grown larva of mealybug ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2CE4]

Adult female Diomus mealybug ladybird, Diomus sp. nr subclarus (Blackburn, 1895) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2DZP]

Larva of Diomus mealybug ladybird, Diomus sp. nr subclarus (Blackburn, 1895) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2DZC]

Two larvae of Diomus mealybug ladybird, Diomus sp. nr subclarus (Blackburn, 1895) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2DYU]

A recently moulted Diomus mealybug ladybird, Diomus sp. nr subclarus (Blackburn, 1895) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 3006]

Adult large spotted ladybird, Harmonia conformis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Note the U-shaped black areas on the pronotum. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2ANF]

Larva of large spotted ladybird, Harmonia conformis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2AN6]

Table: Natural enemies of Long-tailed mealybug, *Pseudococcus longispinus* (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), from Plant-SyNZ database (27 December 2018). The reliability index shows the quality of evidence for the host association (0-10, 10=high quality).
Scientific Name	Common Name	Classification	Enemy Type	Reliability Index	Biostatus
Alamella mira Noyes, 1988	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Anagyrus fusciventris (Girault, 1915)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Aphobetus nana (Boucek, 1988)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae	parasitoid	10	endemic
Coccophagus gurneyi Compere, 1929	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Gyranusoidea advena Beardsley, 1969	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Ophelosia bifasciata Girault, 1916	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Ophelosia charlesi Berry, 1995	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Ophelosia keatsi Girault, 1927	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Parectromoides varipes (Girault, 1915)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Tetracnemoidea brevicornis (Girault, 1915)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Tetracnemoidea peregrina (Compere, 1939)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Tetracnemoidea sydneyensis (Timberlake, 1929)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1853	Mealybug ladybird (Beetle)	Coleoptera: Coccinellidae	predator	10	adventive
Cryptoscenea australiensis (Enderlein, 1906)	(Lacewing)	Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae	predator	10	adventive
Diadiplosis koebelei (Koebele, 1893)	Mealybug gallfly (Fly)	Diptera: Cecidomyiidae	predator	10	adventive
Diomus sp. nr subclarus (Blackburn, 1895)	Diomus mealybug ladybird (Beetle)	Coleoptera: Coccinellidae	predator	10	adventive
Harmonia conformis (Boisduval, 1835)	Large spotted ladybird (Beetle)	Coleoptera: Coccinellidae	predator	10	adventive
Melanostoma fasciatum (Macquart, 1850)	Small hoverfly (Fly)	Diptera: Syrphidae	predator	10	endemic
Rhyzobius sp.	(Beetle)	Coleoptera: Coccinellidae	predator	7	unknown
Scymnus loewi Mulsant, 1850	Loew's ladybird (Beetle)	Coleoptera: Coccinellidae	predator	10	adventive

Host plants

The Long-tailed mealybug, lives on ferns, herbacious plants, shrubs, trees and climbers. It is found on crops, naturalised plants and native plants. It mainly lives on the underside of leaves, but it can be found on all parts of a plant including under bark. The young mealybugs often settle by against something prominent on the plant.

Feeding and honeydew

Mealybug adult females and nymphs have sucking mouthparts. Specially shaped rods called stylets are held in the short sheath-like rostrum. When it wishes to feed, the mealybug moves the tip of the rostrum onto the surface of the plant leaf or stem. The stylets are then gradually pushed into the plant and manoeuvred into the phloem (nutrient transport vessels) of the plant. The mealybugs suck the plant’s sap, which is high in sugars and low in other nutrients. Mealybugs have a short white wax anal tube through which they excrete the excess sugary liquid, which is called honeydew.

Colony of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of Three Kings cabbage tree, Cordyline obtecta (Asparagaceae): note the wax covered scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 3007]

Colony of Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) at the base of a leaf of Cabbage tree, Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300H]

Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on the underside of a leaf of Karaka Corynocarpus laevigatus (Corynocarpaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300B]

Adult female Long-tailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on a leaf of Queensland kauri, Agathis robusta (Araucariaceae): note the moulted nymphal skin. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300C]

Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on the bark of a stem of greenhouse grapes Vitis vinifera (Vitaceae). Creator: DSIR Photographers. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300Q]

Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the bark of a stem of greenhouse grapes Vitis vinifera (Vitaceae). Creator: DSIR Photographers. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 300R]

Table: Host plants of the Long-tailed mealybug, *Pseudococcus longispinus* (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) from Plant-SyNZ database (27 December 2018). The reliability score shows the quality of evidence for the host association (1-10, 10=high).
Common Name(s)	Scientific Name	Family	Reliability Index	Biostatus
Maidenhair fern, Huruhuru tapairu, Makawe tapairu	Adiantum sp.	Pteridaceae	7	unknown
Hen and chickens fern, Hen and chickens, Mother spleenwort, Manamana, Mauku, Mouki, Maku, Moku, Mouku	Asplenium bulbiferum G.Forst.	Aspleniaceae	9	endemic
Rasp fern, Pukupuku	Blechnum medium (R.Br.) Christenh.	Blechnaceae	8	indigenous, non-endemic
Four-leaved water clover, Nardoo, Pepperwort	Marsilea sp.	Marsileaceae	7	naturalised
Feijoa, Pineapple guava	Acca sellowiana (O.Berg) Burret	Myrtaceae	10	naturalised
Kiwifruit, Kiwi berry	Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq.	Actinidiaceae	10	cultivated
Chinese gooseberry, Kiwifruit, Yang-tao	Actinidia deliciosa (A.Chev.) C.F.Liang & A.R.Ferguson	Actinidiaceae	8	naturalised
Cruel plant, Kapok vine, Moth plant, White bladder flower	Araujia horturum E.Fourn.	Apocynaceae	10	naturalised
Chatham Island kakaha, Silver spear, Kakaha	Astelia chathamica (Skottsb.) L.B.Moore	Asteliaceae	9	endemic
Begonia	Begonia sp.	Begoniaceae	7	unknown
	Cattleya sp.	Orchidaceae	7	cultivated
Atlantic cedar, Atlas cedar	Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Carrière	Pinaceae	10	cultivated
Kangaroo vine, Native grape	Cissus antartica Vent.	Vitaceae	10	cultivated
Meyer lemon, Chinese dwarf lemon	Citrus ×meyeri Yu. Tanaka	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
English grapefruit	Citrus ×paradisi Macfad.	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Tangelo	Citrus ×tangelo J.W.Ingram & H.E.Moore	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
New Zealand grapefruit	Citrus grandis × reticulata	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Lemon	Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.	Rutaceae	10	naturalised
Clementine, Mandarin, Tangerine	Citrus reticulata Blanco	Rutaceae	10	naturalised
Sweet orange, Navel orange	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	Rutaceae	10	naturalised
Satsuma mandarin, Satsuma	Citrus unshiu Marcow.	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Cabbage tree, Giant dracena, Grass palm, Palm lily, Sago palm, Ti, Kāuka, Kiokio, Kōuka, Tī, Tī awe, Ti kōuka, Tī para, Tī pua, Tī rākau, Whanake	Cordyline australis (G.Forst.) Endl.	Asparagaceae	10	endemic
Hawaiian ti, Happy plant, Pacific Island cabbage tree, Tī pore	Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A.Chev.	Asparagaceae	10	naturalised
Three Kings cabbage tree	Cordyline obtecta (Graham) Baker	Asparagaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Karaka nut, Karaka, Kōpī	Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Corynocarpaceae	10	endemic
Mountain cabbage tree	Cussonia paniculata Eckl. & Zeyh.	Araliaceae	10	cultivated
Alpine violet, Cyclamen, Persian violet, Sowbread	Cyclamen sp.	Primulaceae	7	cultivated
	Cyperus albostriatus Schrad.	Cyperaceae	10	naturalised
Broom, Atlas broom	Cytisus sp.	Leguminosae	7	naturalised
Persimon, Chinese persimmon, Date plum, Japanese persimmon, Kaki, Key fig	Diospyros kaki Thunb.	Ebenaceae	10	cultivated
Chinese medlar, Japanese medlar, Loquat	Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.	Rosaceae	10	naturalised
Japanese spindle tree	Euonymus japonicus Thunb.	Celastraceae	10	naturalised
Common fig, Edible fig, Brown Turkey fig	Ficus carica L.	Moraceae	10	naturalised
Chinese banyan, Glossy-leaf fig, Hill's weeping fig (var. hillii), Laurel fig, Malayan banyan	Ficus microcarpa L. f. var. hillii (F. M. Bailey) Corner	Moraceae	10	cultivated
Ivy, English ivy	Hedera helix L.	Araliaceae	10	naturalised
Pigeonwood, Kaiwhir, Kaiwhiria, Kōporokaiwhiri, Pōporokaiwhiri, Pōporokaiwhiria, Porokaiwhiri, Porokaiwhiria, Poroporokaiwhiria	Hedycarya arborea J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Monimiaceae	9	endemic
Australian frangipani, Sweetshade, Wing-seed tree	Hymenosporum flavum (Hook.) F.Muell.	Pittosporaceae	10	naturalised
Three-square	Isolepis prolifer (Rottb.) R.Br.	Cyperaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Leafless rush, Wīwī	Juncus edgariae L.A.S.Johnson & K.L.Wilson	Juncaceae	10	endemic
	Kalanchoe sp.	Crassulaceae	7	cultivated
	Kunzea tenuicaulis de Lange	Myrtaceae	8	endemic
Brushbox, Vinegar tree, Brisbane box	Lophostemon confertus (R.Br.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.	Myrtaceae	10	cultivated
Apple, Crab-apple	Malus ×domestica Borkh.	Rosaceae	10	naturalised
Bottlebrush, Honey myrtle, Paperbark	Melaleuca sp.	Myrtaceae	7	cultivated
Red mapou, Red matipo, Māpau, Māpou, Mataira, Matipou, Takapou, Tāpau, Tīpau	Myrsine australis (A.Rich.) Allan	Primulaceae	10	endemic
Oleander, Rose-bay	Nerium oleander L.	Apocynaceae	10	naturalised
Passion flower	Passiflora sp.	Passifloraceae	7	unknown
Cineraria	Pericallis ×hybrida (Scheidw.) B.Nord.	Compositae	10	naturalised
Avocado	Persea americana Mill.	Lauraceae	10	naturalised
Moth orchid	Phalaenopsis sp.	Orchidaceae	7	cultivated
Bean	Phaseolus sp.	Leguminosae	7	unknown
Dwarf bean, French bean, Garden bean, Green bean, Kidney bean, Pole bean, Snap bean, String bean	Phaseolus vulgaris L.	Leguminosae	10	cultivated
Flax, Lowland flax, New Zealand flax, Swamp flax, Harakeke, Harareke, Kōrari	Phormium tenax J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Hemerocallidaceae	10	endemic
Monterey pine, Radiata pine	Pinus radiata D. Don	Pinaceae	10	naturalised
	Pittosporum bracteolatum Endl.	Pittosporaceae	10	cultivated
Marsh ribbonwood, Salt marsh ribbonwood, Houi, Mākaka, Runa	Plagianthus divaricatus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Malvaceae	8	endemic
European plum, Greengage, Plum	Prunus ×domestica L.	Rosaceae	10	cultivated
Guava	Psidium sp.	Myrtaceae	7	unknown
European pear, Pear	Pyrus communis L.	Rosaceae	10	naturalised
Asian pear, Nashi	Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nakai	Rosaceae	10	cultivated
Dock, Sorrel	Rumex sp.	Polygonaceae	7	unknown
Queensland umbrella tree, Umbrella tree	Schefflera actinophylla (Endl.) Harms	Araliaceae	10	naturalised
Tamarillo, Tree tomato	Solanum betaceum Cav.	Solanaceae	10	naturalised
Apple of Peru, Peruvian apple, Tomato	Solanum lycopersicum L.	Solanaceae	10	naturalised
Flannel leaf, Kerosene plant, Tobacco weed, Wild tobacco tree, Woolly nightshade	Solanum mauritianum Scop.	Solanaceae	10	naturalised
Potato, Hīwai, Huiwaiwaka, Kapana, Mahetau, Parareka, Parate, Rīwai, Taewa, Taewha	Solanum tuberosum L.	Solanaceae	10	naturalised
	Sophora microphylla sens. lat. Aiton	Leguminosae	7	indigenous, non-endemic
	Tecomanthe speciosa W.R.B.Oliv.	Bignoniaceae	10	endemic
Strawberry clover	Trifolium fragiferum L.	Leguminosae	8	naturalised
Crimson clover	Trifolium incarnatum L.	Leguminosae	8	naturalised
White clover	Trifolium repens L.	Leguminosae	8	naturalised
Subclover, Subterranean clover	Trifolium subterraneum L.	Leguminosae	8	naturalised
Rabbiteye blueberry, Rabbit-eye blueberry	Vaccinium ashei J.M.Reade	Ericaceae	10	cultivated
Hebe, Shrub speedwell, Veronica, Speedwell, Koromiko	Veronica sp.	Plantaginaceae	7	endemic
Grape	Vitis vinifera L.	Vitaceae	10	naturalised
	Zamia sp.	Zamiaceae	7	cultivated
Arum lily, Calla lily, Pig lily	Zantedeschia sp.	Araceae	7	unknown

Control

Home gardeners who wish to control the Long-tailed mealybug should ask their local garden centre or horticultural supplier about the available options.

Commercial growers who need to control the Long-tailed mealybug should consult their professional organisation for up-to-date advice.

Additional information

Why is there so much white wax?

Most mealybugs produce much white flocculent wax with which they are covered and which also covers the areas of plants they inhabit. To the human eye this makes it much easier to find the colonies of mealybugs. However, does it make it easier for predators and parasitoids to find them, or is the white wax some kind of deterrent and warning colouration? Other insects with a scale stage also cover themselves with white wax. This suggests to me that it may be some kind of deterrent and warning.

Information sources

Cox JM. 1979. Longtailed mealy bug, Preudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti), life cycle. DSIR Information Series No. 105/32.

Cox JM. 1987. Pseudococcidae (Insecta: Hemiptera). Fauna of New Zealand. 11: 1-230.

Plant-SyNZ: Invertebrate herbivore-host plant association database. plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz/.

Acknowledgements

The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited (Plant & Food Research) for permission to use photographs.

Other images

A recently moulted Diomus mealybug ladybird, Diomus sp. nr subclarus (Blackburn, 1895) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) about to feed on Long-tailed mealybugs, Pseudococcus longispinus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 3005]

INTERESTING INSECTS

and other invertebrates