FGMN Nursery
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
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Tried Sprays and Swabs, but the Mealybugs Keep Coming Back?
You’re not just dealing with the ones you see—you’re dealing with a colony.
Eggs tucked in leaf joints. Crawlers under petioles. Adults you didn’t spot until it was too late.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is the predator built for this. These live adult beetles don’t nibble. They clean house—hunting and feeding on mealybugs at every stage, without sprays, residue, or second guesses.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Live Adult Mealybug Destroyers)
Biological Control for Mealybugs and Soft Scale Crawlers
This bottle contains live adult Cryptolaemus beetles—fast-moving, mealybug-seeking predators that feed on eggs, crawlers, and adult mealybugs.
They’re dark brown with orange heads (ladybug-sized) and built to move. Unlike slow-release systems or foliar sprays, these beetles actively seek out mealybug hotspots and reduce populations quickly.
What They Treat
| Pest | Stage Targeted |
|---|---|
| Citrus mealybugs | Eggs, nymphs, adults |
| Comstock mealybugs | Full lifecycle |
| Long-tailed mealybugs | All stages |
| Other mealybug species | Broad efficacy |
| Soft scale (crawler stages) | Opportunistic feeding |
Note: Best results when applied early or at first signs of infestation. For prevention, consider pairing with slow-release predators.
Why It Works
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Full lifecycle suppression | Eats eggs, crawlers, and adults |
| Immediate feeding | Adults start hunting right away |
| High visibility | Easy to monitor impact |
| No chemical residue | Clean option for edibles and sensitive plants |
| Scalable | Works in small setups or full greenhouses |
When to Use
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You’ve got a confirmed mealybug problem, not just a suspicion
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Sprays haven’t worked—or the pests came right back
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You want results in 7–10 days
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Your space stays above 50°F (these don’t survive cold)
How to Use
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Gently rotate the bottle before opening
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Release beetles directly onto infested plants
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Focus on areas where mealybugs cluster—leaf nodes, undersides, stem joints
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Release early morning or evening (avoid heat or direct sun)
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Avoid spraying before or after application—residues kill predators
How Many to Use
| Infestation Level | Suggested Rate |
|---|---|
| Light | 1–2 beetles per square foot |
| Heavy | 2–4 beetles per square foot |
| Greenhouse-scale | 1,000–2,000 beetles per acre |
Apply weekly during active infestations, or as needed based on population rebound.
Safe for Everything but the Pests
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No residue
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Non-toxic to people, pets, pollinators, or plants
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Compatible with organic and regenerative systems
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Fully IPM-integrated
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No re-entry wait time
Pro Tips
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Use immediately—these are live adults
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If necessary, store short-term at 45–55°F (18 hours max)
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Reapply after frost, temperature drops, or pest rebounds
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Pair with monitoring traps or slower-release predators for ongoing coverage
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Don’t wait until populations explode—apply early when mealybugs first appear
Shipping & Storage
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Ships overnight with live delivery guarantee
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Use immediately upon arrival
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If needed, store for up to 18 hours at 45–55°F
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Do not freeze, overheat, or expose to dry air
