The most obvious featuresare the two long tail hairs at the end of the body. These long tail hairs are at least as long as the body, but often even longer.In addition, the smaller waxy threads around the body are longer than most other mealybug species. They have a somewhat fluffy appearance. The body has a lightgreycolour and a length stripe across the back.Longtailed mealybugs are viviparous, which means live birthing. The eggs hatch inside the mother resulting in no visible egg masses. The femalesare 3-4 mm long and have more elongated bodies than other mealybugs females. The longtailed mealybug is often hidden in a fluffy white mass. 

Long-tailed mealybug damage and distribution

Longtailed mealybugs prefer warm and humid environments and often hide in axillary buds, flower buds and under fruit bracts. They pierce the plants tissue and start sap sucking, damaging the plants. Feeding damage leads todeformed or stumped plant tissue growth, which can, especially in ornamentals, result in heavy damage.Longtailed mealybugs produce honeydew which promotes fungus growth which in turn reduces photosynthesis. In addition, tropical fruits can be damaged, resulting in brown bruises which can be used for infection by secondary pests and diseases, making them unfit for sale.