Species Hippodamia convergens - Convergent Lady Beetle

Classification · Identification · Range · Life Cycle · Internet References

Convergent lady beetles - Hippodamia convergens - male - female

Convergent Ladybird Beetles - Mating Pair for California in March - Hippodamia convergens - male - female

Convergent Lady Beetle? - Hippodamia convergens

Convergent Lady Beetle for August in VA - Hippodamia convergens

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)

Superfamily Cucujoidea (Flower, Flat Bark and Ladybird Beetles)

Family Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)

Subfamily Coccinellinae

Genus Hippodamia

Species convergens (Convergent Lady Beetle)

Identification

Adults are slightly elongated in shape, from 4-7 mm in length. Prominent black and white pattern behind the head, and black spots on red forewings. They may have a full complement of 13 spots or only a few. The white lines that converge behind the head are common to all individuals.

Range

Common and widespread in North America, thanks in part to commercial sales for biological control. Ranges to South America (Hoffmann and Frodsham 1993, White 1983). - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

Life Cycle

They can adjust their life cycle according to the availability of aphids. Resident populations in the eastern United States are active throughout spring and summer if aphids are present.

Internet References

http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/predators/hippodamia.html

Larva image at UC IPM

Another Larva image at UC IPM

University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

Contributed by john and jane balaban on 31 October, 2004 - 10:51am
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, Ted Kropiewnicki, JohnMaxwell22
Last updated 1 April, 2009 - 3:31pm

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