Mealybug, common name for a scale insect found in moist, warm climates. Mealybugs are so called because the adults secrete a white, powdery wax that conceals their bodies. They are common pests of greenhouses and house plants and of subtropical trees. The wingless females feed on plant juices; the winged males are short-lived and do not feed.
Scientific classification: The mealybug belongs to the family Pseudococcidae, order Homoptera.