mealybug

5867   My name is Nigel and I live in Oshawa Ontario.  These pics were taken in our house.  The bugs appear year round. These are white “insects” about 2mm in length, white, and keep appearing on our Phalaeonopsis orchids.

This looks like a mealybug (Hemiptera/Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae); there are several species of mealybugs that will infest orchids, see http://tinyurl.com/ha6ra8p for more detailed information, including some control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.