I'd be more comfortable calling this C. maculata, I think. Could you elaborate on the distinction? The completely transverse abdominal band looks more like C. maculata, not to mention that C. maculata is quite common in Champaign County, whereas I've never seen a single P. quatuordecimpunctata adult.

you can separate them on the bristles, most importantly. They are distinctly bristly and abundant in Coleomegilla, but short and somewhat tufty in Propylea. The transverse band is present in both so that doesn't usually work in its favour. Propylea has more hourglass-shaped markings on the front 2 thoracic segments, while Coleomegilla has what I like to call "stamp"-shaped patches. Propylea also lacks the pale corners to the first segment behind the head...

Hmm, hold on a second, have I just given a complete set of evidence that this isn't Propylea after all!? Do you have a size estimate?

Maybe I should reconsider my approach on larva ;)

I agree that the characteristics you have stated make this a much better match for C. maculata.

sorry for the mixup! I guess I was too tired and switched the species around, or maybe a fit of temporary insanity. Either way a 95% ID rate isn't bad ;)