The pink mealybug can be found on the stems, leaves, buds, fruit and roots of a wide range of plants. It favours certain 'preferred' host plants but in their absence will feed on a wide range of crops and ornamentals. It has been positively identified on those plants listed in the following Table. The pink mealybug is known to attack over 125 plant species, including weeds. Symptoms on non-preferred hosts will therefore not usually develop into the white masses.
Some reports indicate the mealybug has been found in the soil.
The pink mealybugs, particularly the nymphs, are easily spread. They can be carried on the wind, by the rain, on birds, ants, clothing, and vehicles. In fact, humans are great friends to the travel hungry mealybugs. Carrying planting material and fresh fruit and vegetables across the country or even from one end of a farm to the other, will spread the mealybug. Ants, attracted by the honeydew, have been seen carrying mealybugs from plant to plant.