Cryptoline Adults - Vial - 25 Individuals

When battling persistent mealybug infestations in ornamental plants, indoor botanicals, or long-cycle greenhouse crops, Cryptoline offers a powerful and natural solution. This biological control agent contains adult Cryptolaemus montrouzieri beetles, also known as the Mealybug Destroyer. Recognized for their aggressive feeding behavior and effectiveness in controlling various mealybug species, these beneficial predators are a must-have in integrated pest management programs.

With their ability to consume mealybug eggs, crawlers, and even adults, Cryptoline works exceptionally well in crops where long-term pest suppression is needed. The included feeding strip sustains the beetles during transport, ensuring they arrive healthy and ready to work.

How Cryptoline Works

Natural Predator of Mealybugs and Soft Scales

The primary target of Cryptoline is the mealybug (Pseudococcus species), including multiple pest variants found in both indoor and outdoor cultivation. This beetle also assists in controlling soft scale insects during early stages of infestation.

• Adult Cryptolaemus montrouzieri beetles feed on mealybug eggs and immature stages.

• Larvae are equally aggressive, consuming early instars and small adults.

• Larger larvae are capable of overpowering and feeding on fully developed mealybugs.

This multi-stage predation allows Cryptoline to reduce mealybug populations across the pest’s entire lifecycle, providing comprehensive and extended control.

Remarkable Life Cycle and Behavior

Each adult female beetle lays around 10 eggs per day, with up to 500 laid in her lifetime. Larvae emerge looking similar to their prey—covered in white waxy filaments—which helps them camouflage within mealybug colonies. This visual mimicry has earned them the nickname “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

• Life cycle length: 4 to 7 weeks depending on temperature.

• Active and effective in warm, humid conditions.

• Visual distinction: While mealybug larvae and beetle larvae appear similar, Cryptolaemus larvae are larger and more mobile.

Because of their camouflage and aggressive behavior, they quickly infiltrate pest populations and begin predation immediately upon release.

Best Uses for Cryptoline

Cryptoline is ideal for use in:

• Ornamental plants

• Indoor herbs and decorative crops

• Greenhouse fruiting plants

• Crops with extended growth cycles

It is particularly well-suited for environments where chemical pesticide use is restricted or where natural biological control is preferred.

Application and Release Guidelines

Easy and Direct Application

Cryptoline is supplied in 30mL (10oz) vials, each containing 500 adult beetles. These beetles are packaged with a food and hydration source to maintain their vitality during transport.

To apply:

• Open the vial near the mealybug-infested plants.

• Release adult beetles directly onto the terminal leaves where colonies are active.

• Disperse beetles evenly across the affected area for thorough coverage.

For best establishment, minimize external disturbances that might cause beetles to leave the treated plants. Preventing dispersal ensures the predators remain near the pest populations for effective control.

Storage and Handling Recommendations

To maintain beetle health and optimize performance:

• Store and transport in complete darkness at 6–10°C (43–50°F).

• Keep containers in a horizontal position.

• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight at all stages.

• Use product within 18 hours of receipt for maximum effectiveness.

Open containers only when ready to release, and do so as close as possible to infestation zones.

Final Words

If you're looking for a potent biological solution against mealybugs and soft scales, Cryptoline delivers unmatched results. With high egg-laying potential, voracious larvae, and long-lasting impact, it is a reliable tool in any integrated pest strategy. Whether used in ornamental greenhouses, decorative botanicals, or high-value crops, Cryptoline provides natural, residue-free pest control that fits into sustainable farming systems.