Citrus Mealybug vs Chinch Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Citrus Mealybug | Chinch Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Planococcus citri | Blissus leucopterus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Pseudococcidae | Blissidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Gardens |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide tropical and subtropical regions | North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Citrus Mealybug
A soft-bodied, waxy-coated insect that clusters on citrus fruits, stems, and roots while feeding on sap. Heavy infestations weaken plants and contaminate fruit with honeydew and wax.
Did You Know?
The ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, known as the mealybug destroyer, was one of the first biocontrol agents ever deployed against this pest.
Chinch Bug
A tiny black and white bug that is one of the most destructive pests of cereal crops and lawn grasses in North America. Adults have distinctive white wings folded flat over the back. Large populations can kill entire swathes of turf grass.
Did You Know?
In the late 1800s, massive outbreaks destroyed so much wheat in the Great Plains that farmers built tar-filled trenches across fields to trap migrating chinch bug armies.