Cryptolaemus montrouzieri ( Mulsant, 1853 )

Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), Zootaxa 4664 (1), pp. 1-46 : 21

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri ( Mulsant, 1853)

( Fig. 11C )

Materials: An-Nabi Musa ( PMNH # E12432, 1, 16 April 2018). Ein Al Fawwar ( PMNH # E12433, 1 , 16 April 2018) . Tel Alsamrat ( PMNH # E12434, 1 , 23 April 2018) .

Remarks: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri was collected only from three localities (Jericho, west to Jericho and in the Jerusalem hills). It was collected from Atriplex plants and has a significant impact on the control of mealybugs. It is one of three introduced species recorded in the West Bank during the present study. It feeds on pollen grains, lowering its dependence on mealybugs and other prey ( Xie et al. 2017), which may help in mass rearing for biological control purposes. It is one of 24 introduced species of coccinellids in our region ( Mendel et al. 2017).

Figures

FIGURE 11. Dorsal habitus images of the Coccinellidae of the West Bank (continued): A. Hyperaspis polita, B. Hyperaspis syriaca, C. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, D. Nephus (Bipunctatus) bipunctatus, E. Nephus crucifer, F. Nephus (Sidis) hiekei, G. Nephus (Nephus) peyerimhoffi, H. Nephus (Nephus) quadrimaculatus, I. Scymnus (Scymnus) flavicollis, J. Scymnus (Parapullus) abietis, K. Scymnus (Scymnus) interruptus, L. Scymnus (Neopullus) limbatus, M. Scymnus nigropictus, N. Scymnus (Scymnus) pallipediformis, O. Scymnus (Pullus) subvillosus, P. Scymnus (Pullus) suturalis, Q. Scymnus (Pullus) syriacus, R. Diomus anemicus, S. Stethorus gilvifrons (Scale bar = 3mm).