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Mealybugs are sap

Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding. sucking true bugs in the family Pseudococcidae, there are species that feed on roots and others on above ground parts of plant. Most cover themselves in a pale waxy material and are under 5 mm in length.

Golden root mealybug feeds on the roots of a wide variety of plants, although it has so far mainly been found on Meconopsis and Primula in the Britain. Unlike most other mealybug species found in the Britain it is able to survive the winter outdoors.

The golden root mealybug is a recent arrival in Britain, it has been found in Scotland and northern England. and in 2019 it was reported from Northern Ireland.

You may see the following symptoms:

• Golden root mealybug is usually first noticed when the roots of under performing plants are examined
• Small (2-3 mm) insects covered in a golden yellow wax attached to the roots. Note: other sap
  Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding. -sucking root insects, e.g. root aphids or other root mealybugs are usually white
• In its native
  A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since. New Zealand the golden root mealybug is not known to cause serious plant damage. In Britain populations have been noticed on plants lacking vigour. It is not known if the mealybugs were the cause

There are currently no controls for root mealybugs in the open ground. Healthy plants will tolerate some golden root mealybugs. Heavily affected plants can be removed and disposed of in council waste.