Cryptolaemus are ladybird beetles that prey on mealybug and other insects such as Cochineal and some soft scales. These beetles are high-density feeders with a voracious appetite for mealybug and are often referred to as the Mealybug Destroyer. Adult beetles are about 4 mm long, oval in shape, black in colour with a light brown head and posterior. Cryptolaemus larvae grow up to 13 mm long and are covered with long, white, waxy filaments. Their appearance is very similar to that of mealybug and they are often incorrectly identified as mealybug by the inexperienced eye. Cryptolaemus adults and larvae feed on all stages of mealybug (a single larva may consume up to 250 small mealybugs) but they have a preference for mealybug eggs. Adults live for about 2 months with a mature female laying up to 500 eggs during her lifetime. Eggs are laid in the cottony egg sacs of female adult mealybugs and hatch about 5 to 6 days later. Approximately 15 days after hatching larvae prepare to pupate by moving to protected areas (undersides of leaves and crevices in the bark). Pupation takes about 8 days. At temperatures of 27º C the full lifecycle is accomplished in about 30 days. Cryptolaemus prefer temperatures of between 20 to 30º C and cannot tolerate cold winters. Cryptolaemus beetles are supplied in paper bags with 50 beetles in each bag. Distribute one packet of beetles over 3 mealybug infested trees by tearing open the bag and dislodging the beetles by lightly tapping the bottom of the overturned bag. Releasing of Cryptolaemus after insecticide applications should be in line with recommendations (Please contact us at contact@duroibugs.co.za with any technical or related queries). Releases are most effective if done in the late evening.

Recommended Release Rates: 500 to 2000 beetles per ha, released in ‘hot spots’. After release, the beetles rapidly disperse over the treated area and begin feeding. Eventually egg-laying will commence. It will take about 3 - 4 weeks before Cryptolaemus larvae are observed feeding on the target pest. Adult beetles may be difficult to find after release but this should not be of concern. To ensure that Cryptolaemus have established, it is recommended that an experienced scout do regular monitoring after the release. Significant control can be attained with the minimum recommended release rate of 500 beetles per ha but high pest populations may take longer to control, and require ‘booster’ releases in ‘hot spots’.