Life Cycle:

Adult female beetles lay their eggs among the cottony egg sack of adult female mealy bugs. One female can lays 5-10 eggs per days. It takes another 12-17 days for these to go through three larval stages and a pupal stage before they become adults. During this the larvae feed on mealy bug eggs. Adults emerge after 7-10 days. After five days, adult beetles begin to lie their eggs, up to 400 yellow eggs during their two month life span. Adults may live up to 2 month.

For best result

• Release in early morning or late evening, and do not wear light coloured clothing when releasing because this predator is attracted to light colours.
• Screen vents and windows to prevent escape of Cryptolaemus.
• To keep mealy bug population down to acceptable levels in greenhouse, several releases of Cryptolaemus may be necessary, particularly during winter months.