FOR CONTROL OF:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Known as the Mealybug Destroyer, this small Austrialian beetle is actually in the lady bug family. It has an orange head and tail and a black body. This beetle attacks all species of above ground mealybugs, it will also feed off aphids and immature scale insects when mealybugs are scarce.
The female lays singly in egg masses of the mealybugs, with the eggs hatching eight or nine days later. The young larva attack mealybug eggs and young nymphs. The life cycle of these beneficials is approximately 30 days in 80 degree weather.
Avoid using any pesticides for two or three weeks prior to releasing the Cryptolaemus. Ant control is also very important since they will attack these beetles.
Release Rates: Release one for each two sq. ft. of of planted area, or 2 - 5 per infected plant. Distributing them should be done either at night or in early morning or late evening in heavy infestation areas. Usually one release will be enough.