Striped Mealybug
Ferrisia virgata
This record describes Ferrisia virgata (species). Recorded family: Pseudococcidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
The striped mealybug is easy to recognize with the two dark stripes running lengthwise along the dorsum, lacking lateral wax filaments and having crystalline rods arising from the body. This mealybug is very common in Florida on a wide range of host plants. - University of Florida. Afrotropical
Wikipedia reference for Ferrisia virgata: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrisia_virgata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Sternorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Coccoidea
- Family
- Pseudococcidae (Mealybugs)
- Subfamily
- Pseudococcinae
- Genus
- Ferrisia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: A wide range of plants, at least 68 plant families
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cockerell, 1893
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Ferrisia virgata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Striped Mealybug (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , ceiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About Striped Mealybug
What is Striped Mealybug?
Striped Mealybug (Ferrisia virgata) is a species in the family Pseudococcidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How do you identify Striped Mealybug?
The striped mealybug is easy to recognize with the two dark stripes running lengthwise along the dorsum, lacking lateral wax filaments and having crystalline rods arising from the body. This mealybug is very common in Florida on a wide range of host plants. - University of Florida.
What does Striped Mealybug eat?
The diet of the Striped Mealybug includes A wide range of plants, at least 68 plant families.