Carter, W. 1948 The effects of mealybugs feeding on pineapple plants grown in finely atomized nutrient solutions.. Phytopathology 38: 645-657.

Notes: When pineapple plants are grown in water vapor cabinets, it is possible to follow the symptom sequence of mealybug wilt with considerable accuracy. The first measurable symptom is the cessation of root elongation. This is followed by death of the roots which usually but not always involves the entire root mass before wilting of the leaves occurs. The first recovery symptom is the production of new roots and this is followed by the restoration of turgor to the central leaves of the plant which proceed to normal growth. Continuous infestations maintained by monthly applications of small numbers of mealybugs resulted in more extreme symptom expression than when similar infestations were sprayed out after two weeks feeding.