Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Exochomus quadripustulatus (Linnaeus 1758) (see Kovar 1995)
Explanation of Names
quadripustulatus - Latin for "four-blistered", referring to the beetle's four red spots.
Identification
Gordon's figures - dark brown to black with two pale (yellow to red) spots on each elytron: the front one is comma-shaped (sometimes rectangular), the rear one oval/round
(1); recently emerged adults are orange or reddish without spots
Range
w. N. Amer., adventive.
native to, and widespread across, the Palaearctic
(2)Food
Adelgids (woolly aphids) and scale insects, especially on conifers
Remarks
Introduced to control the Hemlock Woolly Aldegid (
Adelges tsugae); originally established near San Francisco, CA
(1) but now spread (or introduced) far beyond that.
See Also
pronotum all black, without
anterior margin and angle narrowly yellow;
elytron with spot near
apex.
Print References
Kovar I. (1995) Revision of the genera Brumus Muls. and Exochomus Redt. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of Palaearctic Region. Part 1. Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 44: 5-124.