Pink hibiscus mealybug discovery in Texas puts growers on high alert

The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), a major pest of ornamentals and citrus, was discovered in September near Port Aransas, Texas. If scouting and reporting are lax, the spread of the pest would pose a risk to the state’s $9.8 billion ornamentals industry.

PHM adults and nymphs look much like other mealybug species but have some distinguishing characteristics, said Carlos Bográn, a Texas Cooperative Extension entomologist. Female adults have no wings and are covered with white wax, and adult males are winged and have two long, waxy tails. Most other mealybugs have a fringe of wax filaments that surrounds their body, Bográn said.

“They disperse in wind currents, by crawling from plant to plant, or by movement of infested plant material or even when stuck on clothing,” Bográn said.

PHM feeding causes new leaves to curl, and young stems stop elongating and become thick, giving a “bunchy-top” appearance, Bográn said.

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To control PHM, avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that may negatively affect beneficial insects, Bográn said.

For more: Texas Cooperative Extension, Carlos Bográn, (979) 845-6800; cbogran@ag.tamu.edu.