Ground mealybugs, Rhizoecus spp. are named for
their habit of moving down into the soil to infest root systems as well
as the above ground parts of plants. This infestation was found on Phormium
'Dusky Chief'.
Ground mealybug infestation on Phormium
Photo: Rosetta
Ground mealybug at base of Phormium Photo: Rosetta
Waxy deposits of ground mealybug on the Phormium
leaf
Photo: Rosetta