#mealybug destroyer

[daily-dose-of-insects]

The Mealybug Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)

Its intimidating name speaks for itself. This beneficial lady beetle is often used by farmers to protect vineyards, some are used for smaller scale greenhouses but not as often, to protect plants from the mealybug.

Mealybug feed on the juices produced by plants. This process can cause mold and ruin the plants, destroying the farmers harvest.

However the mealybug destroyers are up against a powerful enemy, ants. The ants protect the mealybugs and in return they produce honeydew.

This constant battle still rains but with hard work and even the help of trained sniffer dogs (yes that’s a thing, look it up it’s great) the farmers can protect there crops without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides.

[onenicebugperday]

@woodlandthorns submitted: Met this fluffy tiny friend. Mealybug destroyer larva I presume?

Yes, looks like! Really incredible mimicry

[bugtoot]

What the actual fuck. What the actual fuck??

Well I'll tell you.

That's no mealybug even though it REALLY looks like a mealybug.

That, my friends and colleagues, is a mealybug DESTROYER. It is a LADYBIRD BEETLE. This is its larval form. Ladybird beetles out saving the garden once again!

[coleopetrans]

Cryptolaemus Montrouzieri

[craftbadger]

I need y’all to know theres a kind of ladybug out there called mealybug destroyer and it looks like this:

its like naming a small dog “kibble devourer”

[rattyexplores]

Ladybug Larvae Leaving A Waxy Trail

Though resembling a mealybug, this species is actually called “The Mealybug Destroyer“ as they feed on the insects.

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

22/02/23

[onenicebugperday]

@woodlandandthorns submitted: Who is this tiny friend I found in moss?? I don't know if a location would help since I don't know where the moss came from but I live in the Czech Republic.

It's either a mealybug, which is a plant-feeding true bug, or a larva of a mealybug destroyer, which is a type of lady beetle whose larvae look like and eat mealybugs! I'd need a closer look to say which one.

[onenicebugperday]

@insomniawitch submitted: We were cleaning up the backyard and found this little thing wiggling around (it was smaller than a penny) and I was wondering if you know what it is? Location southern CA. It’s kinda cute ngl but if it’s harmful I’d def like to know lol

A child!! Looks like a mealybug destroyer larva - so the larva of a mealybug ladybird beetle, which is a type of ladybug. Not harmful unless you're a mealybug, other scale insect, or aphid.