Synonyms
Cryptolaemus Mulsant, 1853: 268. TS: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1853.
Diagnosis
Cryptolaemus is easily distinguished from all hairy Coccinellidae by its elongate prosternum, 10-segmented antenna, 3-segmented tarsi and complete, recurved postcoxal lines on abdomen.
Description
Length 3.3-4.5 mm. Body medium sized; head partially withdrawn into prothorax, hypognathous; body elongate-oval and moderately convex; dorsum uniformly hairy. Elytral colour blackish with orange apices, head and pronotum orange. Eyes finely facetted, slightly emarginate. Antenna 10-segmented; antennomere 3 elongate; antennal club weak, 3-segmented. Terminal maxillary palpomere slightly expanded apically. Prosternum very long in front of coxae and covers head from below; hypomeron with oblique carina and associated hole; prosternal process narrow with distinct carinae reaching about half of prosternum. Anterior margin of mesoventrite straight medially. Mesoventrite narrower than coxal diameter; Metaventral postcoxal lines recurved. Tarsi 3-segmented. Elytral epipleuron with carina longitudinal and inwardly bent anteriorly, incomplete apically, not foveate. Abdominal postcoxal line recurved and complete. Male terminalia. Parameres and phallobase symmetrical; penis guide symmetrical. Parameres articulated with phallobase. Penis stout, consisting of single sclerite; basal capsule distinct and T-shaped. Apodeme of male sternum 9 broad and plate-like. Female terminalia. Coxities distinctly elongate, triangular, or rod-like, heavily sclerotised; styli absent; infundibulum a lightly sclerotised but clearly delimited piece of bursa; sperm duct simple, uniform in diameter. Spermatheca worm-like, without clear ramus or nodulus; spermathecal accessory gland distinctly separated from sperm duct.
Distribution and Biology
Natural geographic range of this genus extends from Sulawesi and Batjan to New Guinea and Australia. C. montrouzieri Mulsant, was among the first species to be used as a predator to control mealybug pests in California and Hawaii. This species is now widely distributed and still important predator of various coccids.
Genus References
Booth, R. G, and R. D Pope. 1986. A review of the genus Cryptolaemus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) with particular reference to the species resembling C. montrouzieri Mulsant. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 76: 701-17.
Mulsant, M E. 1853. Supplément a la Monographie des Coléoptères Trimerès Sécuripapes. Annales de la Société Linnéenne de Lyon (Nouvelle Série) (2), 1(1852-1853): 129-333.
Slipinski, S.A. 2007. Australian Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) their biology and classification. ABRS, Canberra. 286 pp.
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