Mealybug Destroyer

Order Coleoptera, family Coccinellidae, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

size: 1/3"

Adults are dark brown or black lady beetles with orange head, thorax, abdomen, and wing tips. Larvae look like white rag mops and closely resemble their prey, the mealybug. Eggs are yellow ovals.

Complete metamorphosis, with four larval stages. Females mate soon after hatching and start laying eggs about five days later. Eggs are deposited in the fluff of mealybugs. Eggs hatch in eight to ten days. Most active in sunlight and warm weather. Larvae are active for about three weeks; pupate on plants; adults emerge two or three weeks later. Adults will overwinter in mild climates. Several generations a year.

Citrus, grapes, greenhouse plants, and house plants.

Adults and young larvae catch prey and gobble it up. They prefer eggs and other young larvae. Older larvae will eat anything nearby. Mealybugs are their favorite food, but they will also eat aphids and other small insects.

Control of mealybugs and aphids, especially in greenhouses.

Natural control: Insectivorous animals.

Organic control: None needed.

Release two to five per infested plant in greenhouses, ten to twenty per house plant; cover with sheer curtain or floating row cover to hold beetles in place. Will freeze outdoors--for greenhouse use only.