Which insect is a Mealybug?

• A. Mealybug
• B. Luna Moth
• C. Leafhopper
• D. Japanese Beetle

Answer: (A)

A mealybug is a small, soft-bodied scale insect that is coated with a white, cottony wax, often with visible filaments around its body. This waxy coating is a hallmark of mealybugs and helps distinguish them from other pests. They feed on plant sap with piercing-sucking mouthparts and are typically found on stems and leaves where you can see the cottony, powdery masses.

The luna moth is a large, green silk moth with eye spots on its wings, not waxy or cottony. Leafhoppers are small, wedge-shaped insects that hop away when disturbed. Japanese beetles are shiny metallic beetles with coppery or bronze wing covers. None of these have the characteristic waxy, cottony coating that identifies a mealybug.