A waxy, cotton-like residue is common with mealybug infestation. It may be visible on the surface and in the center of grape clusters. In less severe infestations, scouting may require moving some berries to see the mealybugs within the cluster.

Because mealybugs cover themselves in their own honeydew and hide in the bark and even in the roots of grapevines, they are costly to control. They are very difficult to spray, and the pesticides are expensive and very tightly regulated. Controls are costing millions of dollars. At the request of and with financial support experiments using biological controls as a supplement to or in place of traditional pesticide sprays.

Cooperating on the project for Fresno State is associate professor and viticulture research specialist Kann Kurtural, Ph.D., who holds the Bronco Wine Co. research chair at Fresno State?EUR??,,????'?????<