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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Cucujiformia » Coccinelloidea » Coccinellid group » Lady Beetles (Coccinellidae) » Coccinellinae » Harmonia » Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
Photo#253136
ladybug??? - Harmonia axyridis
Copyright © 2009 Matt Edmonds

ladybug??? - Harmonia axyridis
Pinellas County, Florida, USA
February 12, 2009
Size: 5 to 6 mm
ID please?
Is this a ladybug larvae? Whatever it is, it's in the middle of moulting.
On the underside of a leaf. Picture is overlightened to show bug details better.
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Matt Edmonds on 12 February, 2009 - 1:43pm
Last updated 11 October, 2009 - 7:05pm

Molting
It is molting, not pupating; this is a 2nd or 3rd-instar H. axyridis. Pupation occurs after the 4th instar, which has lateral orange color on the first 5 abdominal segments and central orange tubercules on the 1st, 4th, and 5th segments.

This photograph shows orange only on the first 4 segments, and orange central tubercules only on the 1st segment.

Molting larva anchor their rear abdominal segments to a leaf just as pupating larvae do - the fact that it's "stuck" doesn't always mean it's pupating.

Also, 4th instar H. axyridis are up to 12mm long. An individual in poor conditions (underfed, overcrowded, too cold/hot/dry) might remain at 6mm, but usually they are large larvae by the time they pupate.
… Abigail Parker, 25 July, 2009 - 4:50pm login or register to post comments

Pupating
Looks like a ladybug pupating.
… Natalie Hernandez, 12 February, 2009 - 2:13pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes.
Cast larval "skin" identifies it as Harmonia axyridis. Nice image of pupation in action:-)
… Eric R. Eaton, 12 February, 2009 - 2:29pm login or register to post comments

 
-
Thanks guys, I guessed right! I'll move it.
… Matt Edmonds, 12 February, 2009 - 2:34pm login or register to post comments

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