CRYPTOLAEMUS MONTROUSIERI
MEALY BUG DESTROYER
BEETLE

California Ag Supply has available the Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (the Mealybug Destroyer). This beetle feeds on mealybugs. They are a good predator to put in “hot spots” where the mealybug is endemic. They are good to use post harvest and later in the season when pesticide sprays have reduced the mealybug populations.

Some Pertinent Points About Cryptolaemus:

1 -	Cryptolaemus do best at 82 F with humidities at 70 to 80%. Below 48F they are inactive and above 91 F, they stop searching.	Cryptolaemus adult beetles. Note the light tan colored rear end and head area with the black colored middle.
2 -	Cryptolaemus life cycle takes about 31 days at 81 F and 45 days at 70 F
3 -	Cryptolaemus will not survive freezing and below temperatures. They will not overvwinter in the San Joaquin Valley.
4 -	Eggs are laid in to cottony egg masses of the mealybugs. They hatch in 5 to 6 days at 81 F. Females lay 5 to 10 eggs per day for a total of 400 to 500 eggs in their 50 day life.
5 -	Cryptolameus larvae feed on the mealybugs for 12 to 17 days then pupate on the stems. A single larvae can consume up to 250 small mealybugs.
6 -	Adults emerge in 7 to 10 days, mate and females begin to lay eggs in 5 days.
7 -	Adults and young larvae prefer to eat mealybug eggs. Older larvae will feed on all stages of the mealybugs.
8 -	Cryptolaemus are most effective when mealybug populations are high.
9 -	Adult Cryptolaemus can fly and cover large areas in search of food.

How To Best Use Cryptolaemus in the San Joaquin Valley:

Conventional (non-organic) Vineyards:		Cryptolaemus adult beetle. See the insect in the upper left of the photo with the black elytra or wing area.
1 -	First, use pesticides to reduce mealybug populations to low levels. Use Cryptolaemus as a “harvest/post harvest” tool to further reduce mealybug populations for the following year.
2 -	Also use Cryptolaemus to delay pesticide resistance of the mealybugs.
3 -	Apply the Cryptolameus later in the season (late August through September) into know high populations areas of mealybug.
Organic Vineyards:
1 -	Start applying Cryptolaemus in the spring when the mealybugs first emerge (late April).
2 -	Apply sparingly in the heat of the summer
3 -	Apply more heavily harvest/post harvest when temperatures drop below 100 (late August).

For information and to purchase contact California Ag Supply
Tel 559-281-5411

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