Any experience with the Mealybug Destroyer or Cryptolaemus montrouzieri?

[nhman]

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this lady bug? Supposedly, this lady bug will eat mealy bugs, mites and scale. Sounds like an ideal companion, yet I haven't heard anything about it. Any real life experience out there to go on?? Thanks!

[phearamedusa]

I haven't tried that variety of ladybug, but the one I can get is more for spider mites. They did nothing for the mealies I have or the scale. As long as you realize they will not get rid of all the bugs, they are more of a control and, also that any pesticide used will affect the ladybugs you release if it was used within the last week or two. You will need to feed and water the ladybugs also to keep them in your growing area, or they go in search of what they need.

[nhman]

Thanks for the info phearamedusa!

[camille1585]

I have never used these, but my university does use them in some of their biological control programs. I asked around and checked out their supplier's website, and these guys are extremely voracious, especially the larvae stage. (funnily enough, the larvae look almost identical to mealy bugs, only with more 'hair') They need temps between 20-25°C for optimal development, and high-ish humidity (70-80%) is must. At lower temperatures they go into diapause, and at higher temperatures they have trouble locating prey. Adult females can live up to 2 months and produce 10 eggs a day. If you can't meet these conditions, I wouldn't recommend them if you can't meet their requirements. These guys are generally recommended for greenhouse use.
They prefer mealies, but if there are none they'll go for pretty much any other soft bodied pest. Also works best with large colonies of mealies. If you have a couple here and there on plants, they won't be as efficient and die quicker.