Lady beetle larva - Day 8 - Coleomegilla maculata Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA July 22, 2009 Size: 7.9 mm, 1/3 inch
Fourth instar. The larva has shed its skin for the last time, and is very handsome in deep brown and bright orange.
A distinctive feature visible at this stage is the short, sparse, bristly setae (hairs) on every segment. There are 4 on each side of the thoracic segments, 2 on each tubercle on the abdominal segments.
Former prey, a dried-up aphid, is stuck to the side of the container above it.
Images of this individual: tag all Contributed by Abigail Parker on 16 August, 2009 - 4:06pm Last updated 21 February, 2010 - 10:16am |