Description

Adult

Head closely fused with 2 or all 3 thoracic segments. Separation between segments visible in abdomen. The abdomen comprises 8-9 abdominal segments in the female. Kidney shaped. Mature females develop a grey rim. Adult males are frail 2 winged.

Larvae

First instar crawlers are active and once a suitable site is located will secrete a white cottony covering. Later instars form a waxy covering that grows with age.

Eggs

–

Distribution

Worldwide except Canada and Northern parts of Europe and Asia

Economic Host(s)

Citrus fruits

Symptoms/Signs

Leaves show characteristic yellow spots around reproducing females. This can further result in leaf drop and defoliation. Twigs and even larger branches can also die back. Fruit attacked by the pest dry out and fall off the tree.

Generations:

Generations: 2-7