Mealybug ladybird (nymph/larva)

Found in gardens, orchards, and greenhouses across tropical and subterranean regions worldwide.

Strict predator; primarily feeds on mealybugs and soft scales.

Larvae are covered in white waxy filaments to mimic their prey, providing protection from ants and predators. It undergoes complete metamorphosis with active, mobile larval stages.

Extremely beneficial to the ecosystem and agriculture; used as a biological control agent to manage pest populations without chemicals. Harmless to humans.