PLEASE ???what is this bug

[sucuz]

OK, before I even e-mailed our curator about this problem, I googled 'mealie+predator' and ended up on this website: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri on a page labeled Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America from Cornell University. It talks about the Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, also known as Mealybug Destroyer, which I knew as crip (actually crypt). Full story, with descriptions and color pictures. The larval stage of the Mealybug Destroyer looks just like the picture that Swamper posted. This may be the identity of your 'monster mealy'.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by sucuz

OK, before I even e-mailed our curator about this problem, I googled 'mealie+predator' and ended up on this website: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri on a page labeled Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America from Cornell University. It talks about the Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, also known as Mealybug Destroyer, which I knew as crip (actually crypt). Full story, with descriptions and color pictures. The larval stage of the Mealybug Destroyer looks just like the picture that Swamper posted. This may be the identity of your 'monster mealy'.

Thats a really great article. Thanks for the heads up. Last summer I was on a tirade to kill as many of things as I could. Shoot, after reading that article, its like I was killing lady bugs!! Anyway, thanks again!

[Swamper]

I'll have to take a better picture, better detailed, for you guys, I don't think that's what it is.

[susiep]

Oh no! I hope I haven't been killing off good bugs! I know the county agent here in broward county recommends systemic poisons (applied only to the roots) in order to kill all the pesky sap-sucking bugs. That way we don't kill all the good (predatory) bugs. They have released a wasp here who's larva eats the very terrible "pink hibiscus mealy bug." I have had a very hard time with that bug!

[susiep]

Try this link:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_heal...nformation.pdf

[susiep]

This article is long but very good. Great pictures! They deal with natural predators near the end (around page 30-40) and I now believe our giant mealy may be a good bug.

[Swamper]

I just showed a customer of mine who's in the pest control business these pics. He says it's a type of mealy bug, according to him there are over 1,000 varieties of mealies. He says they just sit there and suck on that tree or leaf like they are digging for oil. Once they have taken all they can from one spot they move on. He recommended "Probil" if I wanted to use a chemical. But since they are not that many, he said I'd be better off just taking it off and killing it.

[vmax3000]

Swamper,
Does it hop? I have seen mealies and then, I have seen some of those star trek baddies and the baddies jumped. I have chased them off of some of my outdoor plants. Haven't seen much damage and they seemed self-limiting...

[Swamper]

Vanessa, are you messing with me? LOL I can just picture you "chasing" them off. Im sorry I have a vivid and always funny imaginator runnin my brain. If you're serious, and I kinda think you are, no these are the stay in their seats and watch,while everyone else does the hop kinda mealies.

[vmax3000]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Vanessa, are you messing with me? LOL I can just picture you "chasing" them off. Im sorry I have a vivid and always funny imaginator runnin my brain. If you're serious, and I kinda think you are, no these are the stay in their seats and watch,while everyone else does the hop kinda mealies.

No, I think you got it right!! I had something like what your picture indicated, but it would "try to hide" by crawling around the stem and the "fuzzy mess" of a shell always made me think of a mealie only bigger and less organized, if you will! It would jump sporadically away and I would give chase. I am sure our neighbors think I am a little off my rocker....I raise orchids, what else can I say!