Other Common Names
Armored Scale Lady Beetle
Explanation of Names
Heather: In its native location, the beetle's habitat includes heather and heathlands (see Internet References).
Armored Scale: The beetle's major prey.
bipustulatus: Latin for "two pustules" or "two blisters," possibly referring to the small red spots on each wing cover. (There are usually three spots per wing, but they may be joined into larger spots or a bumpy line.)
Size
Length 3.0 to 4.50 mm, width 3.10 to 4.0 mm.
Identification
Reddish-brown to black with a horizontal row of three red spots on each elytron (wing cover). The spots may run together and appear as a wavy or bumpy horizontal line.
Range
Non-native; established in southern California.
Food
Scale insects, soft scales, and whiteflies.
Remarks
A native of Europe and the Middle East, this beetle has been introduced worldwide to control scale insects. In the United States, introduction attempts were made in 1905, 1915, 1927, and 1951, when a population finally became established in California.
(1)See Also
Red Chilocorus Lady Beetle, C. circumdatus, is yellow-orange and has no spots.
Print References
Gordon, R. 1976. "The Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) of America North of Mexico." Journal of the New York Entomological Society 93 (1): pp. 1-912.
Jaihoni, M., Sahragard, A. and Salehi, L. 2008. "Behavioural response of Chilocorus bipustulatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to variation in Unaspis eunymi (Homoptera: Diaspididae) density at spatial scales." Munis Entomology & Zoology 3 (2): pp. 749-760.
Yinon, U. 1969. "Food consumption of the armored scale lady-beetle Chilocorus bipustulatus (Coccinellidae)." Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 12 (2): pp. 139-146.
Contributed by
Boris Büche on 15 August, 2007 - 6:28am
Additional contributions by
Abigail ParkerLast updated 4 September, 2009 - 11:03pm
