Pink Hibiscus Mealybug

Origin and Distribution

The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), thought to be native to southern Asia, is a serious pest of numerous host plants in many tropical and subtropical climates. The distribution of PHM has subsequently spread to Africa, Australia as well as areas within North, Central, and South America. In the United States, PHM was first detected in Hawaii in 1984, California in 1999, and Florida in 2002. Biological control efforts have been successfully implemented for all of these populations, which have shown significant impact on reducing this mealybug’s population density, however populations have persisted and PHM continues to be found in new areas. States that are considered climatically suitable for pink hibiscus mealybug are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia based on comparing climates of infested regions around the world.

Host Range

The broad host range of PHM allows for rapid spread of the insect once introduced into an area, but the most commonly encountered host plant material in Florida includes hibiscus, Florida trema, and senna. PHM is know to infest more than 300 plant species.

Description of PHM

Female adult PHM are approximately 3 mm in length (1/10 inches), wingless, and have piercing–sucking mouthparts. A white cotton-like wax covers the female’s reddish body. When punctured, the female’s body fluids are also reddish, but it is important to note that some other mealybug species may have a similar coloration. PHM egg masses are pinkish. Newly emerged first instars or crawlers are pink. Nymphs of both sexes resemble smaller versions of mature adult females. The male pupal stage is a sessile cocoon made of mealy wax. The reddish brown adult male PHM are slightly smaller than the female; has one pair of wings; and two long, waxy tails (caudal filaments). Because the adult males have nonfunctioning mouthparts and only live for a couple of days, the adult male is not as commonly observed in the field around plant material.

Life Cycle

Adult female PHM has five life stages: egg, first instar (crawler), second instar (nymph), third instar (nymph), and fourth instar (adult). Adult male PHM has six life stages: egg, first instar (crawler), second instar (nymph), third instar (prepupal), fourth instar (pupal), and fifth instar (adult). Dispersal primarily occurs in the crawler and nymphal stages through walking, wind, or hitchhiking on animal or plant material. Unmated females produce a sex pheromone to attract males. After mating, females secrete an irregular-shaped white cotton-like egg mass that contains 300 to 600 eggs that turn pink as they mature. First instars (crawlers) are pink and emerge from the eggs. In tropical climates, PHM remains active year-round and may produce up to 15 generations per year. In cooler climates, PHM overwinters in the egg or adult female stage in bark crevices, soil, tree holes, fruit, and crumpled leaf clusters.