Insects
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Lady beetles (Coccinellidae)
Sighting 4649495

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

Mealybug ladybird at Higgins, ACT

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri at Higgins, ACT - 27 Feb 2025 01:55 PM
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri at Higgins, ACT - 27 Feb 2025 01:55 PM
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Identification history

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri 27 Feb 2025 AlisonMilton

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1 comment

DiBickers wrote:
   26 Apr 2025
I’ve setup a separate taxon (to be classified) for these ones. Without being too long-winded, there are many Coccinellidae larvae (across several Subfamilies) which have these long waxy filaments, however, because they have not been raised from larva to the adult beetle they cannot be identified accurately.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri has become a familiar taxon where many larvae are often misidentified for this reason.
These larvae are distinctly different to Cryptolaemus montrouzieri as the lateral waxy filaments are much longer and they also have an obvious “naked” back.
There has now been a larva successfully raised to adulthood which has the Entomologists excited as they were finally able to link that particular specimen to Telsimia (Genus).
Given that it is known these waxy larvae are across multiple Subfamilies I will group them together under “Coccinellidae CNM 01 (Unidentified Waxy Larvae)” until further information comes to light😊

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  • Eucalyptus Associated plant
  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size
  • Larvae or nymphs Breeding behaviour
  • Alive / healthy Animal health

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