Mealybug

Overview

Mealybugs are persistent sap feeders; outbreaks often start from incoming plant material.

Symptoms

• White cottony clusters
• Honeydew / sooty mould
• Weak growth / leaf drop

Conditions that increase risk

• Warm protected crops
• Dense canopies
• Poor sanitation

Biological control options

• Cryptolaemus Montrouzieri

IPM notes

• Spot early + isolate hot-spots
• Avoid disruptive sprays

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Further guidance

• Mealybug — Biocontrol Foundations

Key natural enemies

• Cryptolaemus Montrouzieri

Environmental drivers

• Often favoured by warm, stable greenhouse conditions and sheltered crop architecture.
• Slow, cryptic build-up; outbreaks can occur after long periods of low-level presence.
• Ant activity (where present) can worsen spread and reduce natural enemy effectiveness.