Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

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[1]

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, common name Mealybug Ladybird[2] 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.[3] It has been used as a biological control agent against mealybugs and other scale insects.[2][3] As a larva it apparently looks like the mealybugs they prey on,[4] a case of aggressive mimicry.

Species name

Étienne Mulsant described C. montrouzieri, naming the new species after a Marist brother and missionary, Abbe Montrouzier, who wrote an "Insect Fauna of Woodlark Island".[2]

Biological control agent

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri larva

Within Australia

C. montrouzieri was introduced to Western Australia as a biological control agent.[2]

As imported species

As biological control agent outside Australia, C. montrouzieri has the common name Mealy bug destroyer.[3][5] C. montrouzieri was introduced into California in 1891 by Albert Koebele to control the citrus mealybug.[3] It has also been introduced to New Zealand for biocontrol.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1853". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant". CSIRO. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Weeden, Shelton, Hoffmann (30 January 2008). "Cryptolaemus montrouzieri". Cornell University. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
  4. 1 2 Crowe, A. (2002). Which New Zealand Insect?. Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin. p. 47. ISBN 0-14-100636-6.
  5. ↑ "Know Your Friends - Mealybug Destroyer". www.entomology.wisc.edu University of Wisconsin. 14 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
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