- Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
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Cryptolaemus montrouzieri 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Coleoptera Family: Coccinellidae Genus: Cryptolaemus Species: C. montrouzieri Binomial name Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Mulsant, 1850Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, common name Mealybug Ladybird[1] 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.[2] It has been used as a biological control agent against Mealybugs and other Scale insects.[1][2] As a larva it apparently looks like the mealybugs they prey on,[3] a case of aggressive mimicry.
Contents
Species name
Though Étienne Mulsant first described C. montrouzieri, it was named after a Marist brother and missionary, Abbe Montrouzier, who wrote an "Insect Fauna of Woodlark Island".[1]
Biological control agent
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri larva
Within Australia
C. montrouzieri was introduced to Western Australia as a biological control agent.[1]
As imported species
As biological control agent outside Australia, C. montrouzieri has the common name Mealy bug destroyer.[2][4][5][6] C. montrouzieri was introduced into California in 1891 by Albert Koebele to control the citrus mealybug.[2] It has also been introduced to New Zealand for biocontrol.[3]
See also
- Cassiculus venustus (native New Zealand species which also feeds on mealybugs)
External links
- picture gallery at www.brisbaneinsects.com - includes images of C. montrouzieri larva preying on sap-sucking bugs
References
- ^ a b c d "Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant". CSIRO. http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/system/c_733.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- ^ a b c d "Cryptolaemus montrouzieri". Cornell University. 30 January 2008. http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/predators/Cryptolaemus.html. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
- ^ a b Crowe, A. (2002). Which New Zealand Insect?. Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin. p. 47. ISBN 0141006366.
- ^ "Beetle, Lady Beetle, Mealy-bug Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)". davesgarden.com/. http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/4155/. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- ^ "Species Cryptolaemus montrouzieri - Mealybug Destroyer". http://bugguide.net/node/view/7910/bgimage. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- ^ "Know Your Friends - Mealybug Destroyer". www.entomology.wisc.edu University of Wisconsin. 14 February 2009. http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/kyf205.html. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
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