Fruit infestation by mealybugs

Images of stonefruit infested with mealybugs are not yet available and these pictures are of infested apples.

 Mealybugs live mainly on the bark of host trees. They are major pests of pipfruit but less of a problem for stonefruit growers. Their feeding on the sap does not cause economic damage but when they move onto the fruit, mealybugs become a quarantine pest. They are found particularly at the stem end of the fruit. There are several species in New Zealand and the Insect Key should be used to determine which one is causing the infection. Mealybugs have a characteristic waxy covering. Their sap feeding results in the excretion of honeydew, which provides a substrate for the growth of sooty mould.

To see the insect and
for more information on citrophilus mealybug, longtailed mealybug, or obscure mealybug on apples

Key start