Pink Hibiscus Mealybugs

Behavior and Habitat of Pink Hibiscus Mealybugs

Eggs that have just been laid by a female are an orange color, turning pink just before hatching, and can be found in sac-like structures made of waxy material. The first instar nymphs which hatch from the eggs are a motile stage, called ""crawlers"", which move around by walking or by wind, moving rather far distances for a host plant. Female pink hibiscus mealybugs can produce up to 600 eggs and the populations produce up to 15 generations per year, meaning that insect pressure can increase rapidly. The female dies very shortly after laying the eggs, which overwinter in cooler geographic areas in crevices of bark, in soil, in cluster of fruit, or inside of other protected plant areas. Pink hibiscus mealybugs are of major economic importance because of their wide host plant range. They have been documented on agricultural crops, such as citrus, avocado, mango, sugarcane, beans, cabbage, peanut, cucumber, lettuce, pepper, and tomato. They have also been documented on landscape plants, such as hibiscus, oleander, croton, bougainvillea, heliconia, ixora, and many palm species. Currently, pink hibiscus mealybug has been introduced into Florida and is expected to move to other areas in the United States. Pink hibiscus mealybugs can be found on stems, leaves, buds, fruit, and underground, on the roots, of many plants.