Mealybug Destroyers Benefits Plants

Scientific Name: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

Nickname: Mealybug destroyer

Appearance/Size:

Small, 3-4 mm long about ⅛ inch. Adults tend to quickly move away when disturbed. Adults are dark brown with a tan-to-orange head and posterior.

Prefered Habitat:

Optimal conditions are 61-91 degrees F with a relative humidity between 70-80%. If not released immediately, store at room temperature.

Reproduction:

Lays yellow eggs among the cottony egg sacks of mealybugs. Larval stages last 12-17 days during which time the larvae feed on eggs, young crawlers, and the sugary liquid excrement, often called honeydew produced by the pest.

Eat:

Both the larval and adult stages of this predator attack all stages of mealybugs. If food is scarce they will eat soft scales and aphids.

Release Rates:

5 per infested plant; 500-5,000 per acre (depending on severity of infestation). Side Notes: They look very much like a “lady bug”, and act almost the same way. Although they do eat aphids and spider mites, they are not a great source to get rid of them.