There are fungus species that can infect and kill insects. These fungi are called insect pathogenic fungi or entomopathogenic fungi. These fungi are very specific to insects, often to particular insect species, and do not infect animals or plants. Most insect- pathogenic fungi need humid conditions for infection and development but some fungus species can also infect insects when it is dry. When an insect has been killed by a fungus, the fungus emerges from the insect's body to produce spores that can sometimes be seen as a "dusty" or "cottony" appearance. When you find many insects dead and...

Mealybugs are worldwide pests of ornamental plants grown indoors and outdoors. Both greenhouse and field-grown ornamentals are commonly attacked. Damage to ornamentals occurs when mealybugs insert their needle-like mouthparts into host plants and suck out the sap. Heavy infestations often result in the disfiguration of the plant. While feeding, the mealybug excretes honeydew, a sweet sticky liquid. Infested plant parts darken due to sooty mold growing on the honeydew. Ants may also feed on the honeydew. Some species of mealybugs inject a toxin into the plant while feeding. This toxin causes...