The coffee mealybug, (also knonw as the cacao or purple mealybug, Planococcus lilacinus Cockerell) is a relatively recent invasive alien insect in China. It is one of the most dangerous quarantine pests infesting vegetables and coffee, fruit and ornamental trees as well as shrubs worldwide. The occurrence of P. lilacinus has been detected in Yunnan, Hainan and other provinces of Chinese Mainland since 2012. In this paper, the morphological characteristics, economic damage, host plant species, ecological characteristics, geographic distribution, transmission pathway, and management measures of P. lilacinus are described. The work highlights the importance to prevent new invasions and further spread of the cacao mealybug in Chinese Mainland.