Mealybugs

The long-tailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus) attacks shoots, inflorescences, apples and nuts. Affected parts appear completely white. Trees infested during the flowering stage fail to produce fruits, whereas those infested at the nut swelling stage produce discoloured nuts, which result in a lower grade. However, cutting tests showed no difference in kernel outturn between clean and discoloured nuts. Mealybugs have been a problem for cashew growers in Tanzania.

The body of the adult female is 2 - 3.6 mm long, soft, elongate oval and somewhat flattened.