Mealybug Treatment Using Beneficial Insects
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Mealybugs are persistent because they hide well, reproduce quickly, and protect themselves with waxy coatings that make many treatments ineffective. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is a beneficial insect used for active mealybug treatment, particularly when infestations are visible and established.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is a predatory beetle species that feeds on mealybugs throughout its life cycle. Both larvae and adults actively hunt mealybugs on leaves, stems, nodes, and dense growth points where sprays and surface treatments struggle to reach.
This approach focuses control directly within the colony, rather than attempting to suppress symptoms from the outside.
What This Product Treats
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is used for active mealybug infestations, especially when colonies are already spreading.
Pest Coverage by Life Stage
| Pest | Life Stage Targeted | Is This Product Appropriate? |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | Crawlers, nymphs, adults | Yes – primary treatment |
| Root mealybugs | Soil-adjacent stages | Limited – best paired with soil predators |
| Aphids | Adults and nymphs | Opportunistic feeding only |
| Scale insects | Armored stages | No |
| Spider mites | All stages | No |
| Thrips | All stages | No |
This product performs best when mealybugs are visible on foliage or stems, not confined exclusively to the root zone.
Why Use Cryptolaemus for Mealybug Treatment
Mealybugs persist because they shelter in tight spaces and resist surface treatments. Cryptolaemus addresses this by working directly within infestations.
Larvae resemble mealybugs in appearance, allowing them to move through colonies with minimal disturbance while feeding aggressively. Adults reinforce pressure by continuing to hunt and consume mealybugs as populations decline.
Control shows up as shrinking colonies and reduced reinfestation, rather than immediate disappearance.
Best Use Cases
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is commonly used for:
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Houseplants with visible mealybug colonies
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Aroid and tropical plant collections
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Plants with repeated reinfestation after sprays
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Greenhouses and enclosed growing environments
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Growers avoiding systemic pesticides
It performs best in warm, stable indoor conditions.
How to Use
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Release insects directly onto plants showing active mealybug activity
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Focus on stems, nodes, leaf joints, and dense growth areas
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Avoid pesticides, oils, or sprays before and after release
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Allow insects to disperse naturally through the collection
For heavier infestations, staged releases can improve results.
How Much Do I Need?
Each option is pre-dosed based on average container-grown plants, using a typical 6-inch pot as a reference point.
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The 1–2 high-pressure plant option is intended for severe infestations on a small number of plants
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“Up to X plants” options are designed for broader coverage across a collection
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Smaller plants or lighter infestations may be sized down
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Larger plants, dense growth, or heavy colonies may benefit from sizing up
If you are deciding between two options, choosing the larger size is usually the safer call.
How These Beneficial Insects Work
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri establishes biological pressure through direct predation.
Adults lay eggs near mealybug colonies. Larvae feed intensively on all accessible life stages, then mature into adults that continue hunting. As long as prey and suitable conditions remain, pressure persists.
Results appear over time as colonies contract and new damage decreases.
What This Does Not Treat
This product is intended specifically for mealybug control. It is not appropriate for:
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Spider mites → Use Ultimate Control Mite Mix
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Thrips → Use Ultimate Control Mite Mix
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Scale insects → Use Lindorus
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Fungus gnats → Use Stratiolaelaps
Choosing the correct biological control for the pest — and the life stage — is critical.
Environmental Notes
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Best suited for warm, indoor or greenhouse environments
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Not intended for outdoor release
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Compatible with integrated pest management programs when sprays are avoided
Shipping & Handling
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Ships under live delivery guarantee
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Use immediately upon arrival when possible
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Do not store for longer than 24 hours
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is appropriate when mealybugs are established, visible, and no longer responding to surface treatments — and when control needs to occur within the colony itself.
FAQ
How does the Live Guarantee work?
We know how important it is for your mites to arrive healthy and ready to work. That’s why we offer a live arrival guarantee—with flexible options depending on when we hear from you:
- Let us know within 24 hours of delivery: We’ll gladly send a free replacement shipment.
- Let us know within 2–3 days of delivery: We can offer store credit to make things right.
- After 3 days from delivery: Because these are living organisms, we’re not able to offer replacements or credit beyond that window. By then, it’s harder to know what went wrong or whether shipping conditions were a factor.
We truly want your mites to succeed—so please open your package as soon as it arrives and check on them. If something doesn’t look right, don’t wait—reach out and we’ll take care of you.
Where are you located?
We have a number of different locations in NJ, Maine and Oregon. While we'd love to have you, we are not currently open to the public.
Can I call you?
We get it. Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone, and on a case by case basis we can try to figure it out. Unfortunately though, we're really not able to take calls—FGMN is a small nursery, and we're usually elbows-deep in plants or packing boxes. To make sure nothing gets missed (and everyone gets a timely reply), we keep all communication in writing.
Feel free to message us at info@fgmnnursery.com. We mostly respond quickly, but every once in awhile replies may take a day. Do follow-up if you don't hear in that time. We're human, we miss an email here or there.
Too Many Options?
We get it. Try our mite/insect matchmaking quiz and instantly get matched to the solutions you may need.
Our Live Delivery Guarantee
We stand behind every leaf and every mite. If your plant or predatory insects don’t arrive alive on the first delivery attempt, we’ll make it right.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Email us at info@fgmnnursery.com within 24 hours of delivery
- Include clear photos of the item and the shipping label
- Someone must be available to receive the package—plants and bugs don’t do well sitting in the sun, a mailbox, or the back of a delivery truck
For plants, we offer store credit if something goes wrong.
For predatory mites and beneficial insects, you’ll have the choice of a replacement shipment or store credit.
If you contact us after the 24-hour window, we may still be able to help—just know it’s handled case by case.
We pack with care, insulate when needed, and check the weather before shipping. But once it’s in transit, the fastest way to protect your order is to open it right away.
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