Aphids, mealybugs and other invertebrate pests can spread viruses. Carnivorous plants are themselves susceptible to infestation by parasites such as aphids or mealybugs. Some pests that commonly affect pineapple plants are scales, thrips, mites, mealybugs, ants, and symphylids. Other lady beetles feed on scale insects, whitefly and mealybugs. Aphids and mealybugs feed on the plant. Sodium selenate is a common ingredient in some insecticides used against mites, aphids, and mealybugs. However, the most common afflictions are aphids and mealybugs. Ants also tend mealybugs to harvest their honeydew. The adults and larvae of these insects eat scale insects, especially mealybugs. They are relatively disease resistant, but susceptible to pests such as mealybugs. They are disease resistant, but are susceptible to pests such as mealybugs. They are drought resistant, but susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects. They have a tendency to attract insects like mealybugs and scales. Silver torch cactus is most susceptible to mealybugs and spider mite. Putoidae is a family of scale insects commonly known as giant mealybugs or putoids.