How to distinguish between scale insects and mealybugs when pests appear on a tree?

Question

ForwardPlant Team · Accepted Answer

Distinguishing scale insects from mealybugs involves observing their appearance and protective coverings. Scale insects are often immobile, covered by a hard, waxy, or cottony "shell" (the scale) that they don't easily detach from. Mealybugs, conversely, are typically mobile, soft-bodied, and covered in a white, powdery, waxy substance, giving them a "cottony" or "fluffy" look. While both are sap-sucking pests, mealybugs often exhibit visible legs and segmentation, unlike the often featureless adult scale insects beneath their protective covers.

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