Mealy Bug Destroyer
I always stress to make sure that you know what insect you are dealing with before you treat and that is very important with the insect to the left. At first glance you might think that the insect is a mealy bug however this is actually a different insect called a Mealy Bug Destroyer that is a beneficial insect. This insect is a type of ladybug and both lifecycles feed on mealybug eggs, young nymphs. Older larvae will feed on any age of mealybug and they will also feed on scale insects and aphids. Adults are dome shaped with a blackish to dark green abdomen and a dark brown to orange head. They are approximately 1/8-1/6-inch-long with short clubbed antennae. Larvae look like mealy bugs however they are faster moving and at maturity are twice the size of an adult mealy bug. Each larvae can consume more than 250 mealy bug nymphs or over 1,000 mealy bug eggs during that life stage. This insect is native to Australia and does not tolerate cold temperatures. This insect is reared commercially and can be purchased as an organic method of control for mealy bugs in greenhouses or for small infestations in the house if you so desire. If you want to purchase these for inside a greenhouse plan for a population of several beetles per square foot of growing area with the initial release. This insect is just a reminder to make sure you correctly identify the insect you are seeing before trying to control it in your home or yard.
