Mealybug Destroyer
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
The larvae of this beetle disguise themselves as their prey, growing long, white waxy filaments to blend in with mealybug colonies and avoid detection by protective ants.
- Scientific name
- Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Coccinellidae › Cryptolaemus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Citrus orchards, gardens, greenhouses, deciduous forests, and shrublands.
- Diet
- Mealybugs, scale insects, and occasionally aphids.
- Range
- Australia (native), North America (introduced), Europe (introduced), Asia (introduced)
- Size
- Adults: 3-4 mm; Larvae: up to 10 mm
- Lifespan
- 50 to 70 days
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Broad-spectrum chemical pesticides, extreme winter cold, and loss of agricultural biodiversity.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and highly beneficial. If encountered in a garden or greenhouse, do not disturb them as they are active pest controllers. They do not bite or sting humans, though they may secrete a harmless, bitter yellow fluid if handled roughly.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri , common name Mealybug Ladybird or Mealybug Destroyer , is ladybird species .
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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