This document summarizes the history of Rodolia cardinalis, a lady beetle species introduced from Australia, and its use for biological control. It was first brought to California in 1888 to control the cottony cushion scale, a citrus pest. Released by entomologist Albert Koebele, R. cardinalis successfully decimated cottony cushion scale populations by 1890 and saved the citrus industry. Since then, R. cardinalis has been introduced to control cottony cushion scale and other Icerya scale pests around the world, including in India starting in 1926/1930 to manage Icerya purchasi. The predator has proven effective and its periodic release is recommended where needed.

1. Case history about
Rodolia cardinalis
V.GOWTHAM
2016600504
Agrl. Entomology
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

2. O In California 1868, the cottony cushion scale was a
new pest attacking citrus, pear, and acacia in southern
California.

3. O By 1880, it had spread all over California and
was seriously damaging citrus orchards
wherever it occurred. In 1886, frustrated
growers were pulling out or burning citrus
trees because they couldn’t control this pest.
O Entomologists guessed that the scale was from
Australia, the country from which much of the
citrus had been imported.

4. 1888 to 1889
The Cottony Cushion Scale
Project

5. O C.V. Riley (Chief of the Division of
Entomology, USDA) employed Albert Koebele
and D.W. Coquillett in research on control of
the cottony cushion scale.
O In 1888, Albert Koebele was sent to search for
natural enemies in the guise of attending the
International Exposition in Melbourne.

6. Albert Koebele

7. O In actuality, Koebele barely attended the
meeting and instead traveled throughout
Australia searching for natural enemies for this
project.
O The most promising natural enemies Koebele
found were a parasitic fly (Cryptochaetum
iceryae) and a lady beetle (Rodolia
cardinalis).
O Rodolia cardinalis (Origin: Australia)

8. O Albert Koebele sent -12,000 individuals of
Cryptochaetum iceryae and 514 individuals of
Rodolia cardinalis.
O By 1890, all infestations of the cottony
cushion scale were completely decimated, the
citrus industry was saved, and the total control
program had cost less than $5,000, including
salaries.

9. O The delighted Californians honored Mr.
Koebele by giving him a gold watch and his
wife received a pair of diamond earrings.

10. 1930
Egypt
South Africa
Australia
California
INDIA

11. In India
O 1928 - Icerya purchasi was first reported from
Nilgris (Tamil Nadu) on Wattle, rose, citrus,
Acacia decurrens, and other Acacia spp.

12. O The coccinellid beetle, Rodolia cardinalis
(Origin: Australia) was introduced to India in
1926 via USA (California) and South Africa
and in 1930 via Egypt for the control of Icerya
purchasi.
O The beetle was released in the Nilgiris in 1930
and it successfuly controlled I. purchasi.
O In 1941, the pest assumed serious proportions
and spread to upper Palni hills (Tamil Nadu),
was managed again.

13. O R. cardinalis was also liberated against I.
purchasi on casuarina in Nileshwar (Kerala)
resulting in quick control.
O This predator has been effective against Icerya
aegyptiaca and I. seychellarum on some of the
Pacific Islands and it would be easy to
introduce it wherever Icerya spp. have spread
and the predator is absent.
O Release of 8-10 beetles on each of the
moderately infested plant has been suggested
whenever required.

14. Countries year Target pest
Hawaii 1890 cottony
cushion scale
Mexico 1890 cottony
cushion scale
Egypt 1902 cottony
cushion scale
Japan 1922 cottony
cushion scale
Samoa 1953 cottony
cushion scale
Portugal 2008 cottony
cushion scale
Galapagos Islands,
Ecuador
2002 cottony
cushion scale

15. Reference
O Ann E . Hajek. (2004). Natural Enemies An
Introduction to Biological Control. pp 41-43.
O Caltagirone. L. E., R. L. Doutt. (1989). The
History of the Vedalia Beetle Importation
to California and its Impact on the
Development of Biological Control. Ann.
Rev. Entomol. 34:1-16

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