Squash Lady Beetle - Larva - Epilachna borealis

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

The foodplant provides a definite ID - the Mexican Bean Beetle won't eat squash.

… Abigail M. Parker, 4 September, 2009 - 12:03pm

Thanks for putting this to re

Thanks for putting this to rest.

… Rich Kelly, 4 September, 2009 - 12:39pm

my reference pics were actually Epilachna borealis

I found out this year. So my idea and own pic IDs were incorrect when posted to this ID request.

… Andrew Williams, 4 September, 2009 - 12:26pm

those tricky spiky yellow guys...

It's difficult, if not impossible, to tell the Epilachna species apart just by looking at them - fortunately, they're loyal to their foodplants! And I've done enough gardening to know a squash leaf when I see it - all those prickly hairs have made an impression on me, sometimes literally. (The big ones hurt!) I can usually identify the plant in a BugGuide photo of the spiky yellow guys - off of a plant, though, I would have no idea beyond genus.

… Abigail M. Parker, 4 September, 2009 - 1:03pm

looks like Mexican Bean Beetle larva to me

Epilachna varivestis

… Andrew Williams, 4 August, 2009 - 1:16pm

ID correction posted larva ref pics - Epilachna borealis

I found the adults in the same area this year. The pics I'd posted are not Epilachna varivestis, Mexican Bean Beetle. They're Squash Lady Beetle.

… Andrew Williams, 4 September, 2009 - 12:24pm

There's one photo in the Guid

There's one photo in the Guide of a larva that supposed to be E. borealis, and it looks very similar to these 2 photos that you attached. I have seen many E. borealis adults at this site, but never an adult E. varivestis.

… Rich Kelly, 4 August, 2009 - 1:20pm

Based on host

and adults nearby I would probably stick with Epilachna borealis (Squash Lady Beetle)

Raise a couple!

… John R. Maxwell, 4 August, 2009 - 1:19pm

Unfortunately, I didn't bring

Unfortunately, I didn't bring it home and probably won't be back for awhile. I have never seen E. borealis any place else, and have never seen E. varivestis other than one site in Brooklyn.

… Rich Kelly, 4 August, 2009 - 1:23pm