Long-tailed Mealybug vs California Red Scale
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-tailed Mealybug | California Red Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudococcus longispinus | Aonidiella aurantii |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Pseudococcidae | Diaspididae |
| Size | 2.5-4 mm (body) | 1.5-2 mm diameter |
| Habitat | Gardens | Orchards |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Worldwide citrus-growing regions |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
Long-tailed Mealybug
A waxy white mealybug distinguished by long tail filaments that can equal or exceed its body length. It infests ornamental plants, citrus, and grapes in greenhouses and warm regions.
Did You Know?
Unlike most mealybugs, females give live birth instead of laying eggs.
California Red Scale
A circular reddish-brown armored scale insect that infests citrus bark, leaves, and fruit. Heavy infestations can kill branches and render fruit unmarketable.
Did You Know?
The parasitoid wasp Aphytis melinus is mass-reared by the billions to control this scale in California citrus orchards.