Mealybugs are soft-bodied sucking insects covered in white filamentous wax. Adult females grow to about 5 mm in length and are wingless whereas males are much smaller and winged. Mealybugs over-winter as nymphs under the rough bark of older canes, in the crown of the vine and sometimes in the cracks in trellis posts. In spring they move on to new growth and quickly reach adult maturity. Female mealybugs can lay enormous numbers of eggs, which quickly hatch into crawlers. In early summer, mealybugs are present mainly along leaf veins and do not usually enter bunches until January. Up to three to four generations may occur each year depending on climatic conditions. Mealybugs prefer mild, humid conditions and high rates of mortality can occur during hot, dry conditions. Feeding by mealybugs does not usually cause economic damage. Excretion of sticky honeydew by mealybugs leads to sooty mould development on leaves and bunches if large populations arise. Sooty mould covering leaves can reduce photosynthesis and mould on grapes can make the fruit unsaleable or lead to rotting. Longtailed mealybug has a number of natural enemies including predatory ladybird beetles and lacewings, and parasitic wasps. The native ladybird species Cryptolaemus montrouzieri preferentially feeds on mealybugs and is commercially available from several Australian outlets that sell biological control agents. Figure 10 Longtailed mealybugs Ants may feed on honeydew and encourage development of mealybug colonies by interfering with natural enemies. If large numbers of ants are present, sticky trap coatings applied to the trunk will exclude ants from vines, or insecticides may be used to reduce ant numbers. Sprays are rarely required on wine grapes; spray only where there is a history of economic loss and where damage or mealybug numbers are high. Use a