Another Harmonia axyridis - Harmonia axyridis

Wow, must be some confusion

on image numbers or something. Can't believe this is Harmonia. If it is we'll have to just give up!! :)

… john and jane balaban, 13 August, 2006 - 5:57pm

How would you separate this from

the dark phase of Olla (Harmonia) v-nigrum?

… Dennis Haines, 15 December, 2007 - 1:37pm

Pronotum, maybe?

Just going by our pics, Olla v-nigrum seems to have a much more slender and defined white edge:

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 15 December, 2007 - 1:50pm

This is

one of the least common color variants of this species. I haven't seen this form in New Hampshire, but it is well known in Europe. Someone did a wonderful color chart of all the color variants of H. axyridis (which I use in a couple classes), which illustrates the problem of variation quite nicely for a single species. There are some other color forms I haven't yet seen, that would absolutely stump me if I hadn't seen this chart.
A little grunt work, and here is the link: http://web.apu.ac.uk/appsci/lifesci/images/harlequin_colour_variants.jpg

… Donald S. Chandler, 14 August, 2006 - 7:24am

What a great chart

What a great chart, thanks for tracking it down!

One thing I notice right away is that the pronotal "W" I have been using as my main key for this species is not really there on an awful lot of these varieties.

… Stephen Cresswell, 14 August, 2006 - 7:38am

Lady bug

I was just going by Eric's post in March 06 on the submitted Photo#21857 If its different I would appreciate knowing what it is as I found it again today.

… Kildale, 13 August, 2006 - 7:20pm

Here's the other one

There's a similar image on this website. White patches on the pronotum seem to distinguish it from other similar species.

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 13 August, 2006 - 7:07pm