| Cryptolaemus montrouzieri | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Coccinellidae |
| Genus: | Cryptolaemus |
| Species: | C. montrouzieri |
| Binomial name | |
| Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1850 |
|
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, common name Mealybug Ladybird[1] is ladybird species endemic to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Unlike many of the often brightly-coloured Coccinellidae, it is predominantly brown and has no spots.[2] It has been used as a biological control agent against Mealybugs and other Scale insects.[1][2] As a larva it apparently looks like the mealybugs they prey on,[3] a case of aggressive mimicry.
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Though Étienne Mulsant first described C. montrouzieri, it was named after a Marist brother and missionary, Abbe Montrouzier, who wrote an "Insect Fauna of Woodlark Island".[1]
C. montrouzieri was introduced to Western Australia as a biological control agent.[1]
As biological control agent outside Australia, C. montrouzieri has the common name Mealy bug destroyer.[2][4][5][6] C. montrouzieri was introduced into California in 1891 by Albert Koebele to control the citrus mealybug.[2] It has also been introduced to New Zealand for biocontrol.[3]