Cryptolaemus montrouzieri |

Last updated: 23/08/2025
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(Also known as: Australian ladybird beetle; Mealybug destoyer; Crypts; Australian ladybug) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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A ladybird beetle that is a predator of mealybugs and can be used for their biological control |
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Mealybugs |
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Citrus plantations; Vineyards; Protected crops |
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A predominately orange-brown coloured beetle with black wings and no spots of the typical ladybird shape and around 4mm long. Larvae closely resemble the mealybugs they prey upon. Eggs of parasitoid are laid amongst mealybug eggs. Both adults and larvae will eat the hosts eggs and larvae. The beetles are thought to be canabalistic. |
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Class: Insecta; Order: Coleoptera; Family: Coccinellidae |
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Not applicable |
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EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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No |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Not applicable |
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Yes |
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Insectivore |
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Macro-organism |
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Natural |
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Consumption |
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A native beetle of Australia. Now introduced into the USA. |
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Crop protection |
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Mealybugs |
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Citrus plantations; Vineyards; Protected crops |
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Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant) |
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Most countries require a licence to be issued before non-native macro-organisms may be released as biocontrol agents |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Living organism |
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1981, first introduced into the USA for biocontrol |
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- Koppert
- Biocontrol Network
- Biobest
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- Cryptobug
- Mealybug destroyer
- Cryptolaemus system
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Usually supplied as adults. |
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For commerical purposes it is reared on mealybugs or collected from the wild |
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According to environmental studies, insect farming can produce as little as 1–5 kg CO₂e per kg of insect biomass, depending on species, feed type, and energy sources used |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source No adverse effects identified or expected |
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Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source No adverse effects identified or expected |
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Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source No adverse effects identified or expected |
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Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source No adverse effects identified or expected |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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Not applicable |
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Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source No adverse effects identified or expected |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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XNo, known not to cause a problem |
No data found |
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No evidence of adverse toxicological issues have been identified |
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No information available |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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Cryptolaemus montrouzieri |
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Record last updated: |
23/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |