The predatory beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, is a generalist predator of mealybugs. It is a dark brown insect, about 4 mm long with an orange head, prothorax, wing tips and abdomen. Adult females lay their eggs singly into mealybug egg masses. They reach a maximum of 500 eggs, at a rate of 10 eggs per day. The total number of eggs produced is strongly influenced by adult diet. Starvation halts egg production. All stages are predatory on mealybugs. Adults and young larvae prefer host eggs and young nymphs, while larger larvae will consume mealybugs of any size and stage. The young predacious larva sucks out the body contents of its mealybug prey, passing through four instars before pupating on nearby stems, leaf undersides or any other structural supports. During the larval stages they are covered with a white, waxy material and when small, closely resemble their mealybug prey.

At 21°C, the CRYPTOBUG® larvae may consume over 250 second and third instar mealybugs in completing their development. Under conditions of 26°C and relative humidity of 60%, the predatory beetle completes its development from egg to adult within 30 to 33 days. The activity threshold is 9°C. 

Optimum temperature for egg-laying and larval development is 22 to 25°C at 70 to 80% relative humidity. The adult beetles are most active in sunny conditions. Their searching behavior is unproductive above 33°C and they become torpid below 16°C. The larvae show a similar activity pattern over this temperature range.

 CRYPTOBUG® is shipped in isolated styrofoam packages chilled with icepacks. This packaging must be kept intact until it reaches the end-user.
 When applied, the boxes should be taken from the shipment package one by one and the predators should be released immediately.

 If necessary, CRYPTOBUG® can be stored for 24 hours at a temperature of 10-12°C from the moment of arrival until release. The product should never be frozen.
 About 3 weeks to one month following the predatory beetles' release (depending upon temperature), their larval offspring are clearly seen within the mealybug-infested spot. Remains of dead mealybugs, preyed upon by CRYPTOBUG®, are also visible.
 The subsequent established generations of the predatory beetle will effectively control the mealybugs in the long run.

C. montrouzieri and the mealybug parasitoid Anagyrus pseudococci (CITRIPAR®) complement each other:
The former seeks dense populations of mealybug pests. Hence it is effective in mealybug hot spots. The latter is a superior searcher for mealybugs at low infestation rate. Therefore it is best used under initial/scarce infestation by mealybugs. The predatory beetle does not discriminate between non-parasitized mealybugs and those inhabited by early stages of the parasitic wasp. Consequently, it may consume early-parasitized mealybugs. However, once the parasitized mealybug mummifies, the predatory beetle avoids it completely. Thus the two natural enemies may co-exist in the same habitat and establish long-lasting control of mealybugs.

 The rate and frequency of CRYPTOBUG® release may differ from one host plant and/or habitat to another. Introduction rate should be determined according to the nature of the crop (open field or protected) and according to the rate of mealybug infestation.

 If ants are present at the mealybug hot spots, they must be destroyed. Ants encourage honeydew secretion by the mealybugs, transferring them from one place to another while protecting them vigorously from the predators.

 CRYPTOBUG® is susceptible (to a certain degree) to the common pesticides that are used to fight other pests in the crop. Therefore, before applying any pesticide, the user should consult Bio-Bee's field advisors and ask for updated information concerning side effects of pesticides on C. montrouzieri.

Declaration:
Bio-Bee Sde Eliyahu Ltd. produces and markets biological products. Production is carried out using innovative techniques under controlled quality assurance standards such as ISO 9001:2000, as well as IOBC's international standards for mass-production of insects.
All products are tested to meet specification requirements before leaving the factory.
Bio-Bee is not responsible for the outcome of implementation in the field, as it has no control over the method of application, local conditions, treatment/storage of product not according to instructions, etc.