Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Encyclopedia
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, common name Mealybug Ladybird 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. It has been used as a biological control agent against Mealybug
s and other Scale insect
s. As a larva
it apparently looks like the mealybugs they prey on, a case of aggressive mimicry
.
first described C. montrouzieri, it was named after a Marist brother
and missionary
, Abbe Montrouzier
, who wrote an "Insect Fauna of Woodlark Island".
as a biological control agent.
C. montrouzieri was introduced into California
in 1891 by Albert Koebele
to control the citrus mealybug. It has also been introduced to New Zealand for biocontrol.
Coccinellidae
Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds , or ladybugs . Scientists increasingly prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as these insects are not true bugs...
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. It has been used as a biological control agent against Mealybug
Mealybug
Mealybugs are insects in the family Pseudococcidae, unarmored scale insects found in moist, warm climates. They are considered pests as they feed on plant juices of greenhouse plants, house plants and subtropical trees and also acts as a vector for several plant diseases.-Distribution:Mealybugs...
s and other Scale insect
Scale insect
The scale insects are small insects of the order Hemiptera, generally classified as the superfamily Coccoidea. There are about 8,000 species of scale insects.-Ecology:...
s. As a larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
it apparently looks like the mealybugs they prey on, a case of aggressive mimicry
Aggressive mimicry
Aggressive mimicry is a form of mimicry where predators, parasites or parasitoids share similar signals with a harmless model, allowing them to avoid being correctly identified by their prey or host...
.
Species name
Though Étienne MulsantÉtienne Mulsant
Martial Étienne Mulsant was a French entomologist and ornithologist.Initially employed in commerce, Mulsant wrote writes Lettres à Julie sur l'entomologie, suivies d'une description méthodique de la plus grande partie des insectes de France, ornées de planches… Martial Étienne Mulsant (March 2,...
first described C. montrouzieri, it was named after a Marist brother
Marist Brothers
The Marist Brothers, or Little Brothers of Mary, are a Catholic religious order of brothers and affiliated lay people. The order was founded in France, at La Valla-en-Gier near Lyon in 1817 by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, a young French priest of the Society of Mary...
and missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
, Abbe Montrouzier
Jean Xavier Hyacinthe Montrouzier
Reverendus Pater Jean Xavier Hyacinthe Montrouzier was a French Marist priest, explorer, botanist, zoologist and entomologist.Abbé Montrouzier studied the flora and fauna of Melanesia especially New Caledonia.-Works:...
, who wrote an "Insect Fauna of Woodlark Island".
Biological control agent
Within Australia
C. montrouzieri was introduced to Western AustraliaWestern Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
as a biological control agent.
As imported species
As biological control agent outside Australia, C. montrouzieri has the common name Mealy bug destroyer.C. montrouzieri was introduced into California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1891 by Albert Koebele
Albert Koebele
Albert Koebele was a German/American entomologist. He moved to the United States at a young age and was naturalized in 1880. He did notable work with the United States Department of Agriculture on using Coccinellidae to combat citrus pests...
to control the citrus mealybug. It has also been introduced to New Zealand for biocontrol.
External links
- picture gallery at www.brisbaneinsects.com - includes images of C. montrouzieri larva preying on sap-sucking bugs