Pest profile

Longtailed Mealybug

Pseudococcus longispinus · Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae[2]

Longtailed mealybugs are recognizable by the long waxy tails on adult females, and they're common on houseplants and in greenhouses.[1]

Longtailed mealybug, a white waxy insect with long tail filaments, on a leaf
Longtailed mealybug, a white waxy insect with long tail filaments, on a leaf. (c) Svavar Martin Andreasen, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adult females have long waxy filaments protruding from the rear, though these sometimes break off.[1]
  • There's no visible egg stage; nymphs emerge immediately when laid.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Other mealybugsThe long tail filaments distinguish it from other mealybugs on the same plants.[1]

Where it lives

It occurs on every continent except Antarctica, mostly in greenhouses and outdoors in warm climates.[1]

US map: public records from 21 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Females pass through three instars; males feed only in the first two.[1]

Damage and signs

  • It feeds on sap of avocado, citrus, grapes and many tropical ornamentals and excretes honeydew.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Pesticides

Target the crawler stage, which lacks protective wax; thorough coverage is essential for contact sprays.[1]

Common questions

What are the white fuzzy bugs with tails on my houseplant?
Longtailed mealybugs, named for their long wax tails.[1]
When are they easiest to kill?
As crawlers, before they develop their waxy coating.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Longtailed Mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus (EENY-666).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1149 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Pseudococcus longispinus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/84805 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.