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Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Ladybird larva about 12mm long.
At last I've found one doing the thing that gave it's common name - snacking on some kind of scale insect.
On an Acacia with prickly leaves in a local nature reserve.
Wally Tew Reserve
The larva of a small ladybug with black elytra and an orange head.
A mealybug destroyer larva can consume up to 250 mealybug larvae. They can also feed on the sugary substance secreted by mealybugs, and will eat eggs and anything else related to scale insects of any species.
A bit like humans with chickens.
1 Comment
Love the name.