View source for Mealybug

{{short description|Family of insects (Pseudococcidae)}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|name=Pseudococcidae
|image=Mealybugs on flower stem, Yogyakarta, 2014-10-31.jpg
|image_caption=Mealybugs on a flower stem in [[Yogyakarta]]
|taxon=Pseudococcidae
|authority=Heymons, 1915&nbsp;<ref>{{ITIS|id=109211 |taxon=Pseudococcidae Heymons, 1915}}</ref>
}}
'''Mealybugs''' are insects in the [[family (biology)|family]] '''Pseudococcidae''', unarmored [[scale insect]]s found in moist, warm habitats. Of the more than 2,000 described species, many are considered [[pest (animal)|pest]]s as they feed on plant juices of [[greenhouse]] plants, house plants and subtropical trees and also act as a [[vector (epidemiology)|vector]] for several plant diseases. Some ants live in symbiotic [[Ant#Relationships with other organisms|relationships]] with them, protecting them from predators and feeding off the [[Honeydew (secretion)|honeydew]] which they excrete.
==Description==
[[File:Mealybug moving.webm|thumb|A video of a mealybug]]
Mealybugs are [[Sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]]: females appear as nymphs, exhibiting reduced morphology, and lack wings, although unlike many female scale insects, they often retain legs and can move. Males are smaller, gnat-like and have wings. Since mealybugs, as well as all other [[Hemiptera]], are [[hemimetabolous]] insects, they do not undergo complete metamorphosis in the true sense of the word. However, male mealybugs exhibit a radical change during their life cycle, changing from wingless, ovoid nymphs to [[wasp]]-like flying adults.{{citation needed|reason=Are males gnat-like or wasp-like insects?|date=January 2023}}
Mealybug females feed on plant sap, normally in roots or other crevices, and in a few cases the bottoms of stored fruit. They attach themselves to the plant and secrete a powdery [[wax]] layer (hence the name "mealy" bug) used for protection while they suck the plant juices. In Asia, [[mango mealybug]] is considered a major menace for the [[mango]] crop. The males are short-lived, as they do not feed at all as adults and only live to fertilize the females. Male citrus mealy bugs fly to the females and resemble fluffy [[gnat]]s.
Some [[species]] of mealybug lay their [[Egg (biology)|egg]]s in the same waxy layer used for protection in quantities of 50–100; other species are born directly from the female.
The most serious pests are mealybugs that feed on [[citrus]]. Other species damage [[sugarcane]], [[grapes]], [[pineapple]] (Jahn et al. 2003), [[coffee|coffee trees]], [[cassava]], [[fern]]s, [[cacti]], [[gardenia]]s, [[papaya]], [[mulberry]], [[sunflower]] and [[orchid]]s. Mealybugs only tend to be serious pests in the presence of ants because the ants protect them from predators and parasites.<ref>{{cite journal|pmc=3503828|title=Fire Ants Protect Mealybugs against Their Natural Enemies by Utilizing the Leaf Shelters Constructed by the Leaf Roller ''Sylepta derogata''|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=7|issue=11|pages=e49982|date=November 21, 2012|author=Noe, Ronald|publisher=US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health|pmid=23185505|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0049982|bibcode=2012PLoSO...749982Z|doi-access=free}}</ref> Mealybugs are also a vector of viruses in grapevines, spreading grapevine leafroll and grapevine red blotch viruses.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bettiga |first1=Larry J |title=Assessing Grapevine Leafroll and Red Blotch Disease Impacts in Local Vineyards |url=https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=18900&sharing=yes |website=ANR Blogs |publisher=Salinas Valley Agriculture |access-date=23 December 2022 |language=en-us |date=8 September 2015}}</ref>
Mealybugs also infest some species of [[carnivorous plant]] such as ''[[Sarracenia]]'' (pitcher plants). In such cases it is difficult to eradicate them without repeated applications of [[insecticide]] such as [[diazinon]]. Small infestations may not inflict significant damage. In larger amounts though, they can induce leaf drop. In recent years, some of the mealybug species have become invasive pests in localities posing a great problem to the new [[Agroecosystem|agro-ecosystems]]. In [[India]], ''[[Withania somnifera]]'' plant have been reported as a new reservoir host for an invasive mealybug species ''[[Phenacoccus solenopsis]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Sharma, A. |author2=Pati, P. K. |title=First record of Ashwagandha as a new host to the invasive mealybug (''Phenacoccus solenopsis'' Tinsley) in India |journal=Entomological News |year=2013 |volume=123 |issue=1 |pages=59–62 |doi=10.3157/021.123.0114 |s2cid=85645762 }}</ref>
Some mealybugs of the ''[[Hypogeococcus]]'' are used as [[biological pest control]]s of invasive cacti in [[South Africa]], including ''[[Harrisia balansae]]'', ''[[Harrisia martinii|H. martinii]]'', and ''[[Opuntia cespitosa]]''.<ref name="Harrisia-balansae-SAf">{{cite web | title=Cactus control in the Klein Karoo | website=[[Rhodes University]] | date=2014-09-17 | url=http://www.ru.ac.za/centreforbiologicalcontrol/latestnews/cactuscontrolinthekleinkaroo.html | access-date=2021-04-19}}</ref>
[[Fossil]] specimens of genus ''[[Acropyga]]'' [[ant]]s have been recovered from the [[Burdigalian]] stage [[Dominican amber]] deposits and several individuals are preserved carrying the extinct mealybug genus ''[[Electromyrmococcus]]''.<ref name="johnsonetal1995">{{cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=M.S. |year=2001 |title=''Acropyga'' and ''Azteca'' Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with Scale Insects (Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea): 20 Million Years of Intimate Symbiosis |journal=American Museum Novitates |issue=3335 |pages=1–18 |doi=10.1206/0003-0082(2001)335<0001:AAAAHF>2.0.CO;2|s2cid=55067700 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/5370690 |display-authors=etal}}</ref> These fossils represent the oldest record of the [[symbiosis]] between mealybugs and ''Acropyga'' species ants.<ref name="johnsonetal1995"/>
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Maconellicoccus hirsutus - hibiscus mealybug - adult male.jpg|Male [[hibiscus]] mealybug, ''[[Maconellicoccus hirsutus]]''
File:Formica fusca and mealy bugs.jpg|''[[Formica fusca]]'' ants tending a herd of mealybugs
File:Ladybug(india).jpg|A [[ladybird]] preying on mealybugs
File:Mealybugs feeding on hibiscus plant.jpg|alt=Mealybugs on Hibiscus plant.|Mealybugs on hibiscus plant
File:Phenacoccus aceris.jpg|''[[Phenacoccus aceris]]''
File:Acropyga glaesaria SMFBE457B2 01.jpg|''[[Acropyga glaesaria]]'' ant carrying an ''[[Electromyrmococcus abductus]]'' mealybug
</gallery>
==Control methods==
Insecticides such as [[pyrethroid]]s (''e.g.'' [[permethrin]], [[bifenthrin]], [[cyfluthrin]]) have been used for control,<ref>{{cite report|date=2003 |title=SP290-S-Mealybugs on Ornamentals |url=https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexdise/35/ |publisher=The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service|docket=SP290S-1.5M-5/03(Rev) E12-4615-00-030-03}}</ref> but this approach is often considered counter-productive due to mortality of mealybug [[natural enemies]].
Some gardeners use species of predatory beetles (''e.g. [[Cryptolaemus]]'') and green lacewings ([[Chrysopidae]]) larvae to control mealybug infestations, as the larval lacewings are voracious predators of aphids and other small insects.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cryptolaemus and lacewings for mealybug and scale control |url=https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1158103/Cryptolaemus-and-lacewings-for-mealybug-and-scale-control.pdf |website=Department of Primary Studies, NSW |publisher=New South Wales |access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>
==Metabolism==
Mealybugs have a highly sophisticated metabolism that involves not one but two bacterial [[endosymbionts]], one inside the other. The endosymbionts make essential amino acids that the mealybug is not able to acquire directly from its diet. Genetically, mealybugs rely on a "mosaic" of metabolic pathways in which proteins are transported across membranes between what were once independent organisms.<ref name="Callier">{{cite journal |last1=Callier |first1=Viviane |title=Mitochondria and the origin of eukaryotes |journal=Knowable Magazine |date=8 June 2022 |doi=10.1146/knowable-060822-2 |doi-access=free |url=https://knowablemagazine.org/article/living-world/2022/mitochondria-origin-eukaryotes |access-date=18 August 2022}}</ref>
==Use in the textile industry==
In Oaxaca Mexico, where mealybugs are known as cochinilla algodonosa, the insects are intentionally cultivated and farmed. Dried mealybugs are ground into a dust, producing a [[Carmine|red dye]] is used to colour fabrics, in artist's paints, and in cosmetics.
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Nopales prickly pear cactus with mealy bugs.jpg|Prickly Pear Cactus with Mealybugs
File:Mealy Bugs (Pseudococcidae) living on Prickly Pear Cactus Leaves (Leaves of Opuntia).jpg|Mealybugs on Prickly Pear Cactus Leaves
File:Mealy Bugs Ground Red Dye.jpg|Mealybugs being ground into traditional red dye in Oaxaca, Mexico
</gallery>
==Genera==
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
The following are included in ''BioLib.cz'':<ref name=Biolib>[https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id17160/ BioLib.cz: family: mealybugs - Pseudococcidae Heymons, 1915] (retrieved 14 May 2024)</ref>
# ''[[Acaciacoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Matile-Ferrero, 1994}}
# ''[[Acinicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Acrochordonus]]'' {{Au|Cox, 1987}}
# ''[[Adelosoma]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Aemulantonina]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2004}}
# ''[[Agastococcus]]'' {{Au|Cox, 1987}}
# ''[[Albertinia (bug)]]'' {{Au|de Lotto, 1971}}
# ''[[Allococcus]]'' {{Au|Ezzat & McConnell, 1956}}
# ''[[Allomyrmococcus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi, 1941}}
# ''[[Allotrionymus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi, 1958}}
# ''[[Amonostherium]]'' {{Au|Morrison & Morrison, 1922}}
# ''[[Anaparaputo]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1962}}
# ''[[Anisococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Annulococcus]]'' {{Au|James, 1936}}
# ''[[Anthelococcus]]'' {{Au|McKenzie, 1964}}
# ''[[Antonina (bug)|Antonina]]'' {{Au|Signoret, 1875}}
# ''[[Antoninella]]'' {{Au|Kiritchenko, 1938}}
# ''[[Antoninoides]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1953}}
# ''[[Apodastococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Archeomyrmococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2002}}
# ''[[Artemicoccus]]'' {{Au|Balachowsky, 1953}}
# ''[[Asaphococcus]]'' {{Au|Cox, 1987}}
# ''[[Asphodelococcus]]'' {{Au|Morrison, 1945}}
# ''[[Asteliacoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Atriplicicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Granara de Willink, 1992}}
# ''[[Atrococcus]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1941}}
# ''[[Australicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Australiputo]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Balachowskya]]'' {{Au|Gomez-Menor, 1956}}
# ''[[Balanococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1962}}
# ''[[Benedictycoccina]]'' {{Au|Kozár & Foldi, 2004}}
# ''[[Bessenayla]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1988}}
# ''[[Birendracoccus]]'' {{Au|Ali, 1975}}
# ''[[Bolbococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2002}}
# ''[[Boninococcus]]'' {{Au|Kawai, 1973}}
# ''[[Boreococcus]]'' {{Au|Danzig, 1960}}
# ''[[Borneococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2002}}
# ''[[Bouhelia]]'' {{Au|Balachowsky, 1938}}
# ''[[Brevennia]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1940}}
# ''[[Brevicoccus]]'' {{Au|Hambleton, 1946}}
# ''[[Calicoccus]]'' {{Au|Balachowsky, 1959}}
# ''[[Callitricoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Calyptococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Cannococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1960}}
# ''[[Casuarinaloma]]'' {{Au|Froggatt, 1933}}
# ''[[Cataenococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1955}}
# ''[[Caulococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1960}}
# ''[[Chaetococcus]]'' {{Au|Maskell, 1898}}
# ''[[Chaetotrionymus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Chloeoon]]'' {{Au|Anderson, 1788}}
# ''[[Chlorizococcus]]'' {{Au|McKenzie, 1960}}<ref>[https://www.gbif.org/species/2093521 GBIF] ''Chorizococcus'' McKenzie, 1960</ref>
# ''[[Chlorococcus]]'' {{Au|Beardsley, 1971}}
# ''[[Chryseococcus]]'' {{Au|Cox, 1987}}
# ''[[Cintococcus]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1940}}
# ''[[Circaputo]]'' {{Au|McKenzie, 1962}}
# ''[[Clavicoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1948}}
# ''[[Coccidella]]'' {{Au|Hambleton, 1946}}
# ''[[Coccidohystrix]]'' {{Au|Lindinger, 1943}}
# ''[[Coccura]]'' {{Au|Šulc, 1908}}
# ''[[Coleococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1962}}
# ''[[Conicoccus]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1994}}
# ''[[Conicosoma]]'' {{Au|de Lotto, 1971}}
# ''[[Conulicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Coorongia]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Cormiococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1989}}
# ''[[Crenicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2004}}
# ''[[Criniticoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1960}}
# ''[[Crisicoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Crocydococcus]]'' {{Au|Cox, 1987}}
# ''[[Cryptoripersia]]'' {{Au|Cockerell, 1899}}
# ''[[Cucullococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1941}}
# ''[[Cyperia]]'' {{Au|De Lotto, 1964}}
# ''[[Cypericoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Cyphonococcus]]'' {{Au|Cox, 1987}}
# ''[[Dawa (bug)]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Delococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1955}}
# ''[[Delottococcus]]'' {{Au|Cox & Ben-Dov, 1986}}
# ''[[Dicranococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2002}}
# ''[[Discococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1953}}
# ''[[Distichlicoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Diversicrus]]'' {{Au|de Lotto, 1971}}
# ''[[Doryphorococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2002}}
# ''[[Drymococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1962}}
# ''[[Dysmicoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Eastia]]'' {{Au|De Lotto, 1964}}
# ''[[Ehrhornia]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1918}}
# ''[[Epicoccus]]'' {{Au|Cockerell, 1902}}
# ''[[Eriocorys]]'' {{Au|de Lotto, 1967}}
# ''[[Erioides]]'' {{Au|Green, 1922}}
# ''[[Erium]]'' {{Au|Cockerell, 1897}}
# ''[[Eucalyptococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Eumirococcus]]'' {{Au|Ter-Grigorian, 1964}}
# ''[[Eumyrmococcus]]'' {{Au|Silvestri, 1926}}
# ''[[Eupeliococcus]]'' {{Au|Sãvescu, 1985}}
# ''[[Euripersia]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Eurycoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Exallomochlus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2004}}
# ''[[Exilipedronia]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1960}}
# ''[[Extanticoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2004}}
# ''[[Farinococcus]]'' {{Au|Morrison, 1922}}
# ''[[Ferrisia]]'' {{Au|Fullaway, 1923}}
# ''[[Ferrisicoccus]]'' {{Au|Ezzat & McConnell, 1956}}
# ''[[Fijicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Watson, 1988}}
# ''[[Fonscolombia]]'' {{Au|Lichtenstein, 1877}}
# ''[[Formicococcus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi, 1928}}
# ''[[Gallulacoccus]]'' {{Au|Beardsley, 1971}}
# ''[[Geococcus (bug)]]'' {{Au|Green, 1902}}
# ''[[Glycycnyza]]'' {{Au|Danzig, 1974}}
# ''[[Gouxia]]'' {{Au|Koçak & Kemal, 2009}}{{efn|synonym  of ''Giraudia'': monotypic ''[[Gouxia danielaferreroae]]'' {{Au|(Goux, 1989)}}.}}
# ''[[Gomezmenoricoccus]]'' {{Au|Kozar & Walter, 1985}}
# ''[[Greenoripersia]]'' {{Au|Bodenheimer, 1929}}
# ''[[Grewiacoccus]]'' {{Au|Brain, 1918}}
# ''[[Grewiacococcus]]'' {{Au|Brain, 1918}}
# ''[[Hadrococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Hambletonrhizoecus]]'' {{Au|Kozár & Konczné Benedicty, 2005}}
# ''[[Heliococcus]]'' {{Au|Šulc, 1912}}
# ''[[Hemisphaerococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1934}}
# ''[[Heterococcopsis]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Heterococcus (bug)]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1918}}
# ''[[Hippeococcus]]'' {{Au|Reyne, 1954}}
# ''[[Hopefoldia]]'' {{Au|Foldi, 1988}}
# ''[[Hordeolicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2004}}
# ''[[Humoccoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1953}}
# ''[[Humococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1953}}
# ''[[Hypogeococcus]]'' {{Au|Rau, 1938}}<ref name="Harrisia-balansae-SAf" />
# ''[[Iberococcus]]'' {{Au|Gomez-Menor Ortega, 1928}}
# ''[[Idiococcus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi & Kanda, 1939}}
# ''[[Inopicoccus]]'' {{Au|Danzig, 1971}}
# ''[[Ityococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Kaicoccus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi, 1958}}
# ''[[Kenmorea]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Kermicus]]'' {{Au|Newstead, 1897}}
# ''[[Kiritshenkella]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Lachnodiella]]'' {{Au|Hempel, 1910}}
# ''[[Lachnodiopsis]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1960}}
# ''[[Lacombia]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1940}}
# ''[[Laingiococcus]]'' {{Au|Morrison, 1945}}
# ''[[Laminicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1960}}
# ''[[Lanceacoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2004}}
# ''[[Lantanacoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Granara de Willink, 1992}}
# ''[[Lenania]]'' {{Au|De Lotto, 1964}}
# ''[[Leococcus]]'' {{Au|Kanda, 1959}}
# ''[[Leptococcus]]'' {{Au|Reyne, 1961}}
# ''[[Leptorhizoecus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1998}}
# ''[[Liucoccus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1960}}
# ''[[Lomatococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1960}}
# ''[[Londiania]]'' {{Au|De Lotto, 1964}}
# ''[[Longicoccus]]'' {{Au|Danzig, 1975}}
# ''[[Maconellicoccus]]'' {{Au|Ezzat, 1958}}
# ''[[Macrocepicoccus]]'' {{Au|Morrison, 1919}}
# ''[[Macrocerococcus]]'' {{Au|Leonardi, 1907}}
# ''[[Maculicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1960}}
# ''[[Madacanthococcus]]'' {{Au|Mamet, 1959}}
# ''[[Madagasia]]'' {{Au|Mamet, 1962}}
# ''[[Madangiacoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Madeurycoccus]]'' {{Au|Mamet, 1959}}
# ''[[Malaicoccus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi, 1950}}
# ''[[Malekoccus]]'' {{Au|Matile-Ferrero, 1988}}
# ''[[Mammicoccus]]'' {{Au|Balachowsky, 1959}}
# ''[[Marendellea]]'' {{Au|de Lotto, 1967}}
# ''[[Mascarenococcus]]'' {{Au|Mamet, 1940}}
# ''[[Maskellococcus]]'' {{Au|Cox, 1987}}
# ''[[Mediococcus]]'' {{Au|Kiritschenko, 1936}}
# ''[[Melanococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Metadenopsis]]'' {{Au|Matesova, 1966}}
# ''[[Metadenopus]]'' {{Au|Sulc, 1933}}
# ''[[Miconicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Miller, 1999}}
# ''[[Mirococcopsis]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Mirococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1947}}
# ''[[Miscanthicoccus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi, 1958}}
# ''[[Misericoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1953}}
# ''[[Mollicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1960}}
# ''[[Mombasinia]]'' {{Au|De Lotto, 1964}}
# ''[[Moystonia]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Mutabilicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1960}}
# ''[[Naiacoccus]]'' {{Au|Green, 1919}}
# ''[[Nairobia]]'' {{Au|De Lotto, 1964}}
# ''[[Natalensia]]'' {{Au|Brain, 1915}}
# ''[[Neochavesia]]'' {{Au|Williams & de Willink, 1992}}
# ''[[Neoclavicoccus]]'' {{Au|Cohic, 1959}}
# ''[[Neorhizoecus]]'' {{Au|Hambleton, 1916}}
# ''[[Neoripersia]]'' {{Au|Kanda, 1943}}
# ''[[Neosimmondsia]]'' {{Au|Laing, 1930}}
# ''[[Neotrionymus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Nesococcus]]'' {{Au|Ehrhorn, 1916}}
# ''[[Nesopedronia]]'' {{Au|Beardsley, 1971}}
# ''[[Nesticoccus]]'' {{Au|Tang, 1977}}
# ''[[Nipaecoccus]]'' {{Au|Šulc, 1945}}
# ''[[Octococcus]]'' {{Au|Hall, 1939}}
# ''[[Odacoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Watson, 1988}}
# ''[[Ohiacoccus]]'' {{Au|Beardsley, 1971}}
# ''[[Oracella]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Orstomicoccus]]'' {{Au|Mamet, 1962}}
# ''[[Oudablis]]'' {{Au|Signoret, 1882}}
# ''[[Oxyacanthus]]'' {{Au|Chevallier, 1836}}
# ''[[Palaucoccus]]'' {{Au|Beardsley, 1966}}
# ''[[Palmicultor]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1963}}
# ''[[Paludicoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1918}}
# ''[[Pandanicola (bug)|Pandanicola]]'' {{Au|Beardsley, 1966}}
# ''[[Papuacoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Watson, 1988}}
# ''[[Paracoccus (bug)|Paracoccus]]'' {{Au|Ezzat & McConnell, 1956}}
# ''[[Paradiscococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Paradoxococcus]]'' {{Au|McKenzie, 1962}}
# ''[[Paraferrisia]]'' {{Au|Williams & de Boer, 1973}}
# ''[[Paramococcus]]'' {{Au|Foldi & Cox, 1989}}
# ''[[Paramonostherium]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Paramyrmococcus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi, 1941}}
# ''[[Parapaludicoccus]]'' {{Au|Mamet, 1962}}
# ''[[Parapedronia]]'' {{Au|Balachowsky, 1953}}
# ''[[Paraputo]]'' {{Au|Laing, 1929}}
# ''[[Pararhodania]]'' {{Au|Ter-Grigorian, 1964}}
# ''[[Paratrionymus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Pedrococcus]]'' {{Au|Mamet, 1942}}
# ''[[Pedronia]]'' {{Au|Green, 1922}}
# ''[[Peliococcopsis]]'' {{Au|Borchesenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Peliococcus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Pellizzaricoccus]]'' {{Au|Kozar, 1991}}
# ''[[Penthococcus]]'' {{Au|Danzig, 1972}}
# ''[[Peridiococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Perystrix]]'' {{Au|Gavrilov, 2004}}
# ''[[Phenacoccopsis]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Phenacoccus]]'' {{Au|Cockerell, 1893}}
# ''[[Pilococcus]]'' {{Au|Takahashi, 1928}}
# ''[[Planococcoides]]'' {{Au|Ezzat & McConnell, 1956}}
# ''[[Planococcus (bug)|Planococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Pleistocerarius]]'' {{Au|Matile-Ferrero, 1970}}
# ''[[Plotococcus]]'' {{Au|Miller & Denno, 1977}}
# ''[[Poecilococcus]]'' {{Au|Brookes, 1981}}
# ''[[Polystomophora]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Porococcus]]'' {{Au|Cockerell, 1898}}
# ''[[Promyrmococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2002}}
# ''[[Prorhizoecus]]'' {{Au|Miller & McKenzie, 1971}}
# ''[[Prorsococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Pseudantonina]]'' {{Au|Green, 1922}}
# ''[[Pseudococcus]]'' {{Au|Westwood, 1840}}
# ''[[Pseudorhizoecus]]'' {{Au|Green, 1933}}
# ''[[Pseudorhodania]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1962}}
# ''[[Pseudoripersia]]'' {{Au|Cockerell, 1899}}
# ''[[Pseudotrionymus]]'' {{Au|Beardsley, 1971}}
# ''[[Pygmaeococcus]]'' {{Au|McKenzie, 1960}}
# ''[[Quadrigallicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Miller, 1999}}
# ''[[Radicoccus]]'' {{Au|Hambleton, 1946}}
# ''[[Rastrococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1954}}
# ''[[Renicaula]]'' {{Au|Cox, 1987}}
# ''[[Rhizoecus]]'' {{Au|Künckel d'Herculais, 1878}}
# ''[[Rhodania]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1935}}
# ''[[Ripersia]]'' {{Au|Signoret, 1875}}
# ''[[Ritsemia]]'' {{Au|Lichtenstein, 1879}}
# ''[[Saccharicoccus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Saliococcus]]'' {{Au|Kanda, 1934}}
# ''[[Sarococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams & de Boer, 1973}}
# ''[[Scaptococcus]]'' {{Au|McKenzie, 1964}}
# ''[[Seabrina]]'' {{Au|Neves, 1943}}
# ''[[Serrolecanium]]'' {{Au|Shinji, 1935}}
# ''[[Seyneria]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1990}}
# ''[[Sinococcus]]'' {{Au|Wu & Zheng, 2001}}
# ''[[Spartinacoccus]]'' {{Au|Kosztarab, 1996}}
# ''[[Sphaerococcus]]'' {{Au|Maskell, 1892}}
# ''[[Spilococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Stachycoccus]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1962}}
# ''[[Stemmatomerinx]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Stipacoccus]]'' {{Au|Tang, 1992}}
# ''[[Strandanna]]'' {{Au|De Lotto, 1969}}
# ''[[Strombococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Synacanthococcus]]'' {{Au|Morrison, 1920}}
# ''[[Syrmococcus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1953}}
# ''[[Takahashicoccus]]'' {{Au|Kanda, 1959}}
# ''[[Tasmanicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Thaimyrmococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2002}}
# ''[[Tomentocera]]'' {{Au|Beardsley, 1964}}
# ''[[Trabutina]]'' {{Au|Marchal, 1904}}
# ''[[Trabutinella]]'' {{Au|Borchsenius, 1948}}
# ''[[Trechocorys]]'' {{Au|Curtis, 1843}}
# ''[[Tridiscus]]'' {{Au|Ferris, 1950}}
# ''[[Trimerococcus]]'' {{Au|Balachowsky, 1952}}
# ''[[Trionymus]]'' {{Au|Berg, 1899}}
# ''[[Trochiscococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams & Pellizzari, 1997}}
# ''[[Tylococcus]]'' {{Au|Newstead, 1897}}
# ''[[Tympanococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1967}}
# ''[[Ventrispina]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Villosicoccus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
# ''[[Volvicoccus]]'' {{Au|Goux, 1945}}
# ''[[Vryburgia]]'' {{Au|De Lotto, 1967}}
# ''[[Xenococcus]]'' {{Au|Silvestri, 1924}}
# ''[[Yudnapinna]]'' {{Au|Williams, 1985}}
{{div col end}}
Extinct genera:
* †''[[Electromyrmococcus]]'' {{Au|Williams, 2001}}
* †''[[Phyllococcus]]'' {{Au|Ehrhorn, 1916}} (monotypic)
'''Note''':
* the genus ''[[Puto (bug)|Puto]]'' is now placed in its own family
* ''[[Lachnodius]]'' {{Au|Maskell, 1896}} is now placed in the [[Eriococcidae]]
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
* Jahn, G. C. and J. W. Beardsley (1994).  "Big-headed ants, ''Pheidole megacephala'': Interference with the biological control of gray pineapple mealybugs".  In D.F. Williams [ed.] ''Exotic Ants: Biology, Impact and Control of Introduced Species''.  Boulder, Col.: Westview Press, 199–205. {{ISBN|9780813386157}}.
* Jahn, G. C. and J. W. Beardsley (1998). "Presence/absence sampling of mealybugs, ants, and major predators in pineapple".  ''J. Plant Protection in the Tropics'' 11(1):73–79.
* Jahn, Gary C., J. W. Beardsley, and H. González-Hernández (2003). [https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/95/1/36_9-28.pdf "A review of the association of ants with mealybug wilt disease of pineapple"]. ''Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society''. 36:9–28.
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100409064217/http://www.ncipm.org.in/mealybugs/mealybuglifecycle.htm#lifecycle NCIPM (National Centre for Integrated Pest Management) – Cotton Mealybugs]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/identifier.shtml?mealy_bugs Mealy bugs ''Pseudococcus spp.'']—BBC gardening advice
* [https://cisr.ucr.edu/invasive-species/vine-mealybug CISR – Vine Mealybug]—Center for Invasive Species Research summary on Vine Mealybug
* On the [[University of Florida]] / [[Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences]] ''Featured Creatures'' website:
** ''[https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/mealybug/hypogeococcus_pungens.htm Hypogeococcus pungens]''
** [https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/mealybug/coconut_mealybug.htm ''Nipaecoccus nipae'', coconut mealybug]
{{Hemiptera|2}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q143569}}
[[Category:Pseudococcidae| ]]
[[Category:Agricultural pest insects]]
[[Category:Insect pests of ornamental plants]]
[[Category:Insect vectors of plant pathogens]]