This lady beetle is dark, almost black with tan shoulders and a tan spot on their lower back. They are covered in fine hairs which gives them a fuzzy look.
The larvae are 12 mm long and look a lot like the mealy bugs they feed on but they are larger.
Adult size: 4 mm
Out and about
They are native to Australia mainly in Queensland and New South Wales. Now found in parts of Europe, tropical regions of Africa and was introduced to America as a biological control
Reproduction and Life cycle
Eggs are laid within the egg sacks produced by the mealy bug; but not the long-tailed mealy bug, as it only produces live young. The female lives about 2 months and can lay up 400 eggs in that time. The larvae go through three stages before pupating.
To deter
To control
Plants to repel
Plants to attract
Predators
Why they are Beneficial
Mealy bug destroyer prefers to eat mealy bugs but, if these are in short supply, it will eat aphids and scale as well.
