Mealybug Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)

What Are Mealybug Destroyers?

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri are beneficial insects that feed on the larvae and eggs of mealybugs.

They are part of the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as ladybugs, and their common name comes from their ability to hunt and destroy mealybugs on plants.

These ladybeetles stand out from other ladybugs thanks to their distinct yellow-orange colored head and dark spots on their body.

They can grow up to a few mm in length and are native to Australia.

What Do Mealybug Destroyers Look Like?

Mealybug destroyers are tiny insects, usually measuring from 3 to 6 mm in length.

They have a distinctive yellowish-orange color, which easily stands out against their lighter-colored wings.

When looking at them closely, you may notice a glossy black body that may appear fuzzy due to the multitude of hairs that cover their bodies.

Aside from that, they also have stubby antennae and six long legs that help them move quickly around structures looking for prey to consume. 

The eyes are small and round. The abdomen is oval and soft, while the thorax appears between the head and the wing-like structures.

The wings have a tough leathery texture and are held close to the body, helping Cryptolaemus montrouzieri cling to surfaces.

Benefits Of Using Mealybug Destroyers

Mealybug destroyers are an ideal way to tackle mealybug infestations in vivariums.

These tiny predatory beetles hunt down and feed on pests of all sizes, eliminating the need for unnatural interventions such as chemical treatments.

Additionally, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is gentle on the environment and doesn’t cause any significant damage to other beneficial insect populations.

They are also relatively easy to care for, making them a great choice for enclosures.

Moreover, their presence in the terrarium will create a natural balance in the system that will serve to keep unwanted critter numbers low in the long run, thus providing a long-term solution to infestations.

Mealybug Destroyer Facts

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri are tiny predatory beetles that feed only on mealybugs and their eggs.

They are gentle to the environment, have a short lifespan of just a few months, and breed quickly, with females laying hundreds of eggs in their lifespan.

They are active during the day, and can quickly clear out a mealybug infestation, with their natural diet making them an ideal choice for gardeners and growers.

Habitat

Mealybug destroyers are beneficial insects that are native to the meadows and woodlands of Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea.

Although they can now be found in greenhouses and outdoor gardens all over the world, they have managed to retain their natural behavior.

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri spend their days happily living and working in dark, moist areas, and they prefer shady, humid climates.

In their natural habitats, the ladybugs make their homes in dense shrubs, fallen trees, and other places where mealybugs hide.

Diet

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri typically feeds on mealybugs, aphids, scales, and other sap-sucking insects.

As predatory insects, they also feed on other small invertebrates like mites, thrips, and whiteflies.

When they find a mealybug, they pierce their skin and inject digestive enzymes before sucking out the liquid inside.

In the wild, mealybug destroyers will also feed on the honeydew secretions from mealybugs.

This provides them with the necessary nutrition needed to lay eggs and develop as a species.

They also feed opportunistically on pollen and nectar when available.

Temperament

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is generally considered a gentle and low-maintenance creature that can be handled with ease.

They are not dangerous or aggressive towards humans and other animals.

In fact, they tend to shy away from people and rarely bite or sting when handled, although caution should still be taken when handling them.

Unlike many other predatory bugs, they are also not known to climb on humans or other animals.

That said, they are still predatory bugs, so care should still be exercised when handling them and they should be kept away from small children and animals.

Lifespan

The adult mealybug destroyer has an average lifespan of two months, and its life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult.

The female Cryptolaemus montrouzieri typically lays her eggs in clusters near mealybug colonies and both the larvae and adult stages actively hunt for prey.

The destroyer larvae are equipped with sharp mandibles to help disperse and feed on pests, while the adult beetle relies on its wings to actively seek out the pesky critters. 

The larvae stage usually lasts for about 5 days, while the pupal stage can take up to two weeks.

During the pupal stage, the larvae will form a protective cocoon and shed their skin multiple times before emerging as an adult.

This is when the adult insect will begin feeding on prey and reproducing.

The adult C. montrouzieri can lay up to 200 eggs in its lifetime, making it an amazing asset to gardeners dealing with mealybug infestations. 

Breeding

Mealybug destroyers have a distinct reproductive cycle that enables the species to reproduce rapidly and increase their population in a short amount of time.

It starts with mating when a male and female lady beetle will join and transfer sperm to the female, who then stores it in her body until she is ready to lay eggs.

Each female Cryptolaemus montrouzieri can lay anywhere from 100 to 300 eggs, with the eggs hatching within five to seven days.

The larvae that are born then feed on mealybugs and other pests for a few days before pupating and becoming adults after 14-30 days.

Where To Find Mealybug Destroyers

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri can be found in the wild in many regions of the world, primarily near Mealybug infestations.

They can often be found crawling about in affected plants and soils, as they quickly identify and consume prey of all sizes.

You can also find mealybug destroyers for sale in gardening stores or online, where you can find them in individual packages and even larger bulk quantities.

It’s good practice to find a trustworthy source for your ladybug purchase, as not all may be of good quality or suitable for controlling large-scale infestations.