Mealybug destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)

A ladybug larva that resembles a nudibranch and is a voracious scale bug eater. Exhibiting aggressive mimicry to resemble it's prey. Exploring the outer branches of an endemic Allocasuarina. One of about a dozen in a local nature reserve. (Gilmour Park)
About 12mm long
The adult is fairly plain, black and brown and without markings but maintains the impressive dietary habits of the larvae and has been introduced into California, New Zealand, Western Australia for biocontrol..

comments (3)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

So this is the larvae stage? That is ridiculously cool! Posted 9 years ago
1. Mark Ridgway
  
  Lion
  
  Yes it's good mimicry. When they are among their prey it's hard to tell the difference.
  I was just thinking about other Coccinellidae larvae and it's easy to see how this could have evolved.
  But humans are so visually biased. I often try to imagine what's going on in other dimensions. I wonder if anyone is looking into the micro audio world. Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Micro audio. That's a word I haven't heard or even imagined before. Could be very interesting to explore if such a field actually exist.
    
    By the way, this mimicry reminds me of this bug in Madagascar:
    http://www.jungledragon.com/specie/1893/flower-bug.html
    
    It's the only animal I've ever seen that camouflages in a group. Collectively they try to resemble a blossom. Posted 9 years ago