African Blister Beetle vs Citrus Mealybug Encyrtid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Blister Beetle | Citrus Mealybug Encyrtid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mylabris oculata | Leptomastix dactylopii |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Encyrtidae |
| Size | 15-30 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Orchards |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) | South America, Mediterranean, Worldwide (introduced) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
African Blister Beetle
A conspicuous beetle with orange-red and black banded elytra. It contains cantharidin, a potent toxin that can cause severe skin blistering on contact.
Did You Know?
Its cantharidin is so toxic that even a small amount can kill a horse if ingested with contaminated hay or alfalfa.
Citrus Mealybug Encyrtid
A solitary parasitoid wasp specific to citrus mealybugs, used globally in greenhouse biological control. Adults are slender with iridescent wings and long antennae.
Did You Know?
A single female can parasitize up to 100 mealybugs in her lifetime, making her a potent biological control agent.