On an average 2-3 grubs and adults of the cocdnellid predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls. per tobacco plant controlled the mealybug, Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) successfully under glasshouse conditions in a period of a month. The population of vectors viz. aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulz.) and white fly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) remained undisturbed on the same plants infested with F. virgata probably due to the host-specific nature of the predator.