Ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri<\/em> is a beetle of the Coccinellidae <\/em>family. It is a native of the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales. Unlike other representatives of the Ladybird (Coccinellidae<\/em>) family, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>has a predominantly brown colour without distinctive dots. It is widely used in agriculture as a mealybug destroyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This beetle was introduced to the United States in 1891 from Australia and became one of the pioneers of biological control of citrus mealybug in California. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>devastated the populations of mealybugs in citrus groves and coped with the task, but could not survive the winter, except in coastal areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the USSR (on the territory of Abkhazia) they were imported in 1933 to combat citrus mealybug. Since Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>do not tolerate negative temperatures, they multiplied in laboratories in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cryptolaemus montrouzieri<\/em> is a small dark brown ladybird, about 3-4 mm long. The head and back differ in colour and have a yellow-brown or orange colour. The larvae grow up to 1.3 cm in length and have felt appendages covered with wax (their real legs are barely visible from below), which makes them look like mealybugs, although they are about twice as large as adult female mealybugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>destroy citrus and closely related mealybugs, as well as some types of Coccidae<\/em>. They are recognized as important predators of the grape and long-tailed mealybug in greenhouses, conservatories, and gardens and are used in the biocontrol program to combat them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adult females of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>lay yellow eggs, among the cotton bags of adult females of mealybug. The larvae hatch from the eggs after about 5 days at a temperature of 27 \u00b0C. The three larval stages last from 12 to 17 days, during which the larvae feed on mealybug eggs, young caterpillars and the dew produced by mealybugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cryptolaemus montrouzieri<\/em> pupates in protected areas, on stems or on greenhouse structures. The pupal stage lasts 7-10 days, after which an adult insect appears. Already 4 days after reaching the imago stage, females begin to lay eggs. During life, the number of eggs laid is about 400. The lifespan of an adult is 50-60 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>are voracious predators of the mealybug both at the larval and adult stages. One larva can eat up to 250 small mealy worms. Maximum efficiency is shown with a high population of mealybugs. If the pest population is low, repeated releases may be required. This is due to the fact that for oviposition they need the bodies of worms, on which they lay offspring. Namely, the felt-wax surface of their bodies. Despite the fact that the priority in the food base of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>is mealybug\u2019s eggs, adults will feed on all stages of the pest. The ability to fly allows Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>to travel long distances in search of food. If there is a lack of a target victim, the entomophage will conduct active search activity and feed on aphids and false scavengers. But the absence of mealybug will negatively affect the formation of the predator population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the beetle does not tolerate cold winters, it will need to be re-introduced into gardens impacted by the mealybug. This is usually done in early spring in places where mealybugs have been a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like other ladybirds, C. montrouzieri<\/em> tends to disperse when released. In closed rooms, it is recommended to keep windows and ventilation openings closed on the day of release. Recent studies have shown that the presence of paddy on the leaves slows down the movement and search activity of the entomophage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the tendency of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri <\/em>to die at low temperatures and in the absence of victims, in more complex ecosystems they are able to be effective for a long time. In Indianapolis, there is a greenhouse in which the only release of beetles in the amount of 100 pieces was carried out, and the population has been preserved for more than 5 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s easier to say where they can’t be used than where they can. We have seen the successful application of this type in almost every conceivable situation. Most with the same success.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDescription<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Entomophage\u2019s victims<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Life cycle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The effectiveness of the entomophage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n