Species Thalassa montezumae - Montezuma Lady Beetle

First described in 1850 by Étienne Mulsant as Thalassa montezumae

The original type specimen in the collection of Chevrolat (from whom Mulsant got the name) came from Mexico, so the name is no doubt a reference to Moctezuma, or to a place named after him. The genitive ("of") ending -ae is used for feminine nouns, which would make more sense if it referred to a place.

1 sp. n. of Mex. (1)

4.5 to 5.8 mm in N. Amer. (2)

Length to 6.83 mm in S. Amer. (Milléo et al 2004)

Gordon(2) describes it as "4.5 to 5.8 mm. 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".

Map - Native: AZ, TX / south to S. Amer. (2) Introduced: Florida.

Scale insects

Type material: The lectotype and the paralectotype of Thalassa montezumae, from Mexico, were designated by Gordon (1985).

Curinus coeruleus - orange markings are on pronotum (hard shell between wings and head), not wing covers.

Halmus chalybeus - no orange markings.

Species des coléoptères trimères sécuripalpes, p.512    Mulsant's original description of the species (in French)