TAXONOMY:
(View Orders)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
   Class:Insecta
    Order: Coleoptera
     Family: Coccinellidae
      Genus: Cryptolaemus
       Species: montrouzieri

OTHER NAME(S):
Mealybug Destroyer

CHARACTERISTICS: The unique white 'hairs' on this tiny bug often draw attention from people. These larvae are extremely useful in pest management. Their name describes what they eat and what they can do to their prey's population.

This species was deliberately imported from Australia in 1892 to help control mealybug infestations on California citrus groves. The introduction was successful and the mealybug destroyer is bred and sold everywhere in North America.

Adult mealybug destroyers look like black lady beetles with brown heads.

ADULT SIZE (Length, not including legs):
2mm to 6mm (0.08in to 0.24in) (Compare Size)

IDENTIFYING COLORS: white

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana

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Courtesy of Mitchell M. from Lula, GA


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