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Cryptolaemus montrouzierimay be a fistful of words for an dirt ball , but those who run in the gardens know it by their more conversant name and trait – Mealybug Destroyer !
The “ Crypts ” resemble the lady beetle , and were therefore constitute the lady beetle mallet , ma’am mallet or ladybird beetles . The similarity ends there , as the peeress mallet is not fuck to aggregate or to disappear when released .
The mealybug destroyer Cryptolaemus montrouzieri – feeding on aphids
The Mealybug Destroyer An Appetite For Pests!
The ladybird beetle ’s appetite for pests are almost adequate to none . These “ crypt ” love to dine on mealybug , most specially their youngs making ladybird beetle their natural enemy !
Once cleaned , these beneficial worm rick their heads to other gadfly on plant in the garden and can eat scale bugs in the crawler or immature form , worm eggs and more .
This might seem to be an sum up bonus , but experts recommend against put out Mealybug Destroyers to egest pests other than mealybug .
How To Use Ladybug Beetles In The Garden
The adult distaff Mealybug Destroyer lay her eggs in the cotton - like mass mealy bugs create , usually one ball per volume . She will then move to the next cotton plant - like mass and put in another ballock , effectively “ works ” her new .
She lays more or less 10 egg a day for 50 day . The Crypt ’s bollock hatch and out occur a hirsute larvae that looks like a mealybug .
They grow up to 1 centimeter . in length and are already rapacious predators , feeding on mealybug their size of it and always eating the most succulent youngs first .
Ladybird Beetles Growth Stage
The emergence degree of the ladybird beetle is as follows :
The ladybird beetle is characterized by its copper - coloured head and a glistening blackened body . Their thoraxes are of dull orangeness hue .
They love a climate temperature of somewhere between 64 ° to 91 ° degrees Fahrenheit , but will thrive in less than optimal conditions .
Keep in judgement that wavering in humidity and/or temperature change may alter development or reproductive memory to certain degrees .
The Evidence Of The Mealybug Destroyer Hard At Work In The Garden
You ’ll see grounds of these hard - working predators with :
Remember it all starts with the egg laying of egg in the cottony masses .
How Do They Work Against Long-tailed Mealybugs?
The long - tailed mealybug give live - birth to their young , not ask any cotton - like mass from which the Ladybug Beetle can lie down her egg .
If your garden has more than one mealybug species , the Ladybug Beetle can act to eliminate pest in read conditions ( as long as there ’s the egg masses ) .
Alternative Options For Controlling The Long-Tailed Mealybug
Want to use a different biological control aside from theCryptolaemuswhen keeping the long - bob mealy bug at bay ?
There are some alternate options . For one , you candeploy some Green Lacewingsor theChrysoperlaspp . in your garden .
They ’ll do a wondrous job in exterminating the mealybug in the surface area !
Make use of the larvae for maximum gratification ; grownup lacewings may drop spare time attempt to turn up the colonies , but larvaes and ball that spawn on - website immediately bulge out the mealybug control .
You may also put in tiny pieces of synthetical puff batting in the long - dog mealybug infestation .
Avoid the use of cotton balls if necessary , since they could contain traces of insecticides . Try point halved 3″ by 5″ indicator cards to lure the beetles within the mealybug populace .
Encouraging Mealy Bug Destroyers To Feast On The Long-Tailed Mealybugs
If you already have some “ Destroyers ” , there are some method acting to try and promote them to feast on the long - tailed mealy bug .
prove mist the infested area with water before turn the crypt into your garden .
The Ladybug Beetle eff pollen from flowers , as well as mealybug honeydew . They even enjoylunching on etymon mealybugs .
Having those in your garden is a giving plus to keep them around for farseeing .
Keep The Ant Population Down
essay to keep the ant universe down because they defend the mealybug for their food for thought generator – the honeydew melon . Employ boric window pane or barrier products to control them .
Last but not least , do n’t wear lily-white whenever you release the mealy glitch guided missile destroyer out in the wild .
They are attract to whitened and might leave their posts to go after you . Remove any sticky traps if you ’re catching too many mallet , or expend them only a few days a week .
Purchasing Mealybug Destroyers
These bug warriorsmay be bought(amazon ) from shop class in their insectary - rise up , pre - mated and pre - fed form . Some of the Crypts ’ pet mealybug meals are :
The Mealybug Destroyer can also consume thePseudococcus longispinus , or the long - tailed mealy bug if they are present with other pests that produce cotton - similar eggs .
image : Scot Nelsonvia Flickr
