Cryptolaemus
Clarke Brunt (CLARKE@lsl.co.uk)
Wed, 15 Dec 1993 10:37:57 GMT
Barry mentioned Cryptolaemus as a predator for mealy bug. I haven't tried
it myself, but I have seen pictures. It's a beetle type creature which
looks like a large lady bird/bug. The larva looks like the largest
mealy bug you've ever seen! Both larva and adult are supposed to
eat the mealies (not root mealies unfortunately).
I have tried biological control for red-spider and thrips (not on the
CP), but with limited success. I think that this works better for
commercial growers with large areas under the same crop than in
a small amateur greenhouse. Also it has to be part of an overall
program, because you can't spray without killing the predators, so
some other pest is likely to become a problem.