Mealybug Destroyer

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

"Cryptolaemus montrouzieri", common name mealybug ladybird or mealybug destroyer, is a ladybird species.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri - Portrait Other shots of same beetle here: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/54848/cryptolaemus_montrouzieri.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/54852/cryptolaemus_montrouzieri_vleugels_gespreid.html Coccinellidae,Coleoptera,Cryptolaemus,Cryptolaemus montrouzieri,Mealybug Destroyer,Mealybug Ladybird,Scymninae

Appearance

"Cryptolaemus montrouzieri" can reach a length of about 6 millimetres. Adults of this species have the typical ladybird shape but, unlike many of the often brightly coloured Coccinellidae, the elytra of these small ladybirds are predominantly dark brown and have no spots. Head, antennae, pronotum, the end of the elytra and the legs are orange-brown. Larvae can reach a length of 14–15 millimetres. They show a waxy covering that makes them apparently look like the mealybugs they prey on, a case of aggressive mimicry.
Mealybug Ladybird - Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Found on a Norfolk Island pine tree in a public park. Australia,Cryptolaemus montrouzieri,Eamw beetles,Eamw ladybird beetles,Geotagged,Mealybug Ladybird,Winter

Naming

Étienne Mulsant described "C. montrouzieri", naming the new species after a Marist brother and missionary, Abbe Montrouzier, who wrote an "Insect Fauna of Woodlark Island".
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.. Australia,Cryptolaemus montrouzieri,Geotagged,Summer,ladybird,ladybug,larvae,mimicry

Distribution

"Cryptolaemus montrouzieri" is endemic to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. It is now also present in Europe, in North Africa, in the Afrotropical realm, in the Nearctic realm, and in the Neotropical realm.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri - Larva dorsal Other shots of same larva here: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/54850/cryptolaemus_montrouzieri_larve_lateraal.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/54851/cryptolaemus_montrouzieri_larve_detail.html Coccinellidae,Coleoptera,Cryptolaemus,Cryptolaemus montrouzieri,Larvae,Mealybug Destroyer,Mealybug Ladybird,Scymninae

Behavior

The adults and larvae of these insects eat scale insects, especially mealybugs. Females lay their eggs among the egg sack of mealybugs. Larvae feed on mealybug eggs, young crawlers and their honeydew. They become adults in 24 days, after three larval stages and a pupal stage. The life span lasts two months.

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