Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet EditionCryptolaemus montrouzieri (395)
Relates to: Biocontrol
Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet EditionCryptolaemus montrouzieri (395)
Summary
- Worldwide distribution. The 'mealybug destroyer'. In Oceania, Australia (native), Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea. Available commercially. Preys on scales, mealybugs and aphids.
- Eggs laid near prey, larvae with yellowish grey bodies and waxy threads, orange-brown heads and black wing cases. Covered in fine white hairs.
- Important biocontrol beetle.
- Natural enemies: wasps, spiders, birds, and ants.
- Biosecurity: need to assess risk before introduction as it is a generalist.
- Cultural control: hot water to kill ants: 47°C (note, 49°C kills plants).
- Management: (i) move adults and larvae to colonies of pests; (ii) use sleeve cages to protect populations initially; iii) avoid use of organophosphates, carbamates and synthetic pyrethroids; iv) control ants: a) stomach poisons (fibronil, Amdro borax), b) growth regulators (methoprene, pyriproxyfen), c) nerve poisons (bifenthrin, fipronil, imidacloprid). See (http://piat.org.nz/getting-rid-of-ants).
Common Name
Mealybug ladybird, also known by the nickname 'mealybug destroyer'. In Oceania, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea.
Scientific Name
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
AUTHOR Grahame Jackson & Mani Mua
Information from Swaine G (1971) Agricultural Zoology in Fiji. Her Majesty's Stationery Office. London; and Martin NA (2016, revised 2018) Mealybug ladybird - Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. (https://nzacfactsheets landcareresearch.co.nz/factsheet/InterestingInsects/Mealybug-ladybird---Cryptolaemus-montrouzieri.html); and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptolaemus_montrouzieri); and Cryptoleamus montrouzieri (mealybug destroyer). CABI Invasive Species Compendium. (https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/16393); and from Pacific Invasive Ant Toolkit. (http://piat.org.nz/getting-rid-of-ants). Photo 1 Sonya Broughton, Department of Agriculture & Food Western Australia, Bugwood.org. Photo 2 David Cappaert, Bugwood.org. Photo 4 Randy Thaman, University of the South Pacific, Fiji.
Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project HORT/2016/18: Responding to emerging pest and disease threats to horticulture in the Pacific islands, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Pacific Community.
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