id ghostlouse bug

April 28, 2020 11:50 AM

What is this white woodlouse looking bug?

They showed up today in my backyard. They act like woodlouses, curl up if you graze them, etc. About 7mm long, move fairly fast.

posted by signal to Pets & Animals (3 answers total)

Best answer: Looks a lot like the predatory nymph of the mealybug destroyer. More info here. It's a cousin to ladybugs, and often used as a biocontrol agent in greenhouses.
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:13 PM on April 28, 2020 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks! Does it make sense to see them in Chile?
posted by signal at 12:35 PM on April 28, 2020

Best answer: Yes, it seems they could be common in Chile. They are originally from a fairly small part of AU but are now found all over the world due to introduction for pest control (in places without a hard freeze winter, from Wikipedia and BugGuide). I learned something too, so thanks for asking :)
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:03 PM on April 28, 2020 [1 favorite]