Montezuma Lady Beetle - Thalassa montezumae

convincing ID

. . . new guide page installed!

cheers, Boris

… Boris Büche, 11 April, 2007 - 4:25am

Sweet

Thanks for the ID. 2 new species(for bugguide)in 1 day! Thanks again for the ID Tim, and thanks for creating a guide page, Boris

… Graham Montgomery, 11 April, 2007 - 4:27pm

something much more exciting!

I don't believe this is a twice-stabbed Chilocorus. The blue eyes say Hyperaspini tribe. The elytra color looks too "gun blue" for Chilocorus. And Chilocorus stigma typically looks circular from the top, including shoulders that follow the circle (see the following where the shadow helps to see this shape)

Rather, I believe this is most likely Thalassa montezumae. Gordon (1) describes it as "4.5 to 5.8mm. Form rounded, convex. Female pronotum entirely bluish black. Elytron bluish black with reddish yellow spot in apical." From AZ and Texas (and Mexico and points south). "Only species of Thalassa known north of Mexico".

Unfortunately I couldn't find any web photos, but here is a link that restates some of the info from Gordon.

Another new species for BugGuide :)

… Tim Moyer, 10 April, 2007 - 10:28pm