Coccinellid - Hyperaspis? - Hyperaspis oculaticauda

another H. bigeminata

this one looks to be another H. bigeminata, with somewhat reduced markings. (a little on the small size, as Gordon's stated size is 2.4-3.3mm) The oval/round and convex body shape tends to match the species description better than the others currently imaged in BugGuide.

… Tim R. Moyer, 14 August, 2008 - 11:58am

Range of H. bigeminata?

Thanks, Tim! Are you sure that bigeminata is found in CA though? I can't find it on this list, which appears to be generated from the Gordon book:

http://www.sbnature.org/collections/invert/entom/coccinel.pdf

… Ken Schneider, 14 August, 2008 - 6:05pm

ooh, you're right

H. bigeminata is an eastern species if I remember correctly. I'll check Gordon's ref tomorrow and confirm distribution, and other possible IDs.

… Tim R. Moyer, 14 August, 2008 - 8:03pm

size

ok, from Gordon's ref (and your location) it comes down to size. If > 2.3mm then H. postica, if < 2.4mm then H. oculaticauda. Both have a single apical spot, on postica more than twice as far from the suture as from the apical margin. I think it's one of these 2 species, but confirmation that there are no additional pale areas along the lateral elytra margin would rule out the other possibilities.

So if you can remeasure and add a significant decimal place, we should have an ID :)

… Tim R. Moyer, 15 August, 2008 - 10:33am

Size -

remeasured as 1.9-2.0 mm. The edge of the apical red spot is about the same distance from the suture as from the apical margin. I don't see any other spots or pale areas along the lateral elytral margin.

… Ken Schneider, 16 August, 2008 - 12:01am

H. oculaticauda

H. oculaticauda Great job Ken! You're racking up a number of very interesting ladybirds! Also looks like the first web image of this one. And another new species for BugGuide :)

… Tim R. Moyer, 16 August, 2008 - 7:07am

Thanks again -

for all your help, Tim! I do wish these were live images or, failing that, a little better quality. This is the best I can do with my current scope and camera setup. I'll make a guide page and move these images later this weekend, if I get a chance...

… Ken Schneider, 16 August, 2008 - 9:31am

Thanks again, Tim -

I believe that this beetle is really just about 2.0 mm, so perhaps H. oculaticauda, but I will re-check at home and also look for other pale areas on the elytra... Will post back here tonight or on the weekend, I hope.

… Ken Schneider, 15 August, 2008 - 11:04am