The Mealybug Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)
Its intimidating name speaks for itself. This beneficial lady beetle is often used by farmers to protect vineyards, some are used for smaller scale greenhouses but not as often, to protect plants from the mealybug.
Mealybug feed on the juices produced by plants. This process can cause mold and ruin the plants, destroying the farmers harvest.
However the mealybug destroyers are up against a powerful enemy, ants. The ants protect the mealybugs and in return they produce honeydew.
This constant battle still rains but with hard work and even the help of trained sniffer dogs (yes that’s a thing, look it up it’s great) the farmers can protect there crops without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides.
