Lady Beetle in Redondo Beach - Exochomus metallicus

Moved

… v belov, 27 February, 2017 - 9:52am

super

hope the experts respond soon

Moved from ID Request.

… v belov, 27 February, 2017 - 9:20am

ID is already good

You can bet I made sure to get these photos on BG asap! I never actually thought anyone would ever find this species in my lifetime.

… James Bailey, 27 February, 2017 - 9:51am

awesome

thanks, colleagues

i would never imagine Exochomus can be so hairy

… v belov, 27 February, 2017 - 9:53am

Same!

When I read the (only) brief description of this species, I thought there must have been some kind of mistake. When it came to illustrating it, I gave only a subtle indication of hairs. Had no idea it would be like this!

… James Bailey, 27 February, 2017 - 9:57am

Adam Ślipiński says, "Strange beast indeed –

"...there are few hairy Chilocorines and 'Exochomus' is a particularly messy group. I have not seen that particular one but as far as I know none of the US species is true Exochomus."

… v belov, 27 February, 2017 - 5:15pm

This one is not native to the US

Apparently imported from Africa in the 1900s. But yes, the US Exochomus are oddballs in general.

… James Bailey, 27 February, 2017 - 7:41pm

yeah, i know

i filled the info page first thing in the morning :]

Adam would know it too, he's a world's leading expert on this beetle lineage

… v belov, 27 February, 2017 - 8:04pm

Length

Measured him to be 3mm.

… glmory, 27 February, 2017 - 8:35am

New one for BG if it is...

New one for BG if it is...but I am not convinced...I am going with Zagloba ornata... about how big was it... 2mm?

… James E. Garrison, 27 February, 2017 - 7:15am

Not a Scymnine

Note the characteristic shape with wide shoulders (of Chilocorinae) that are separate from the pronotum margin, as well as the highly recurved pronotum shape. You would also not find that underside pattern, or those bright pronotum markings, on Zagloba ornata.

Zagloba are fairly uniformly oval and the elytra and pronotum are smoothly transitioned. Here is an excellent photo already on bugguide demonstrated these points:

PS. New for the world, not just BG!

… James Bailey, 27 February, 2017 - 9:48am

very rusty

sorry for all my misID's just trying to get that spark back.. haven't looked at a beetle in 5 years...and boy does it show

… James E. Garrison, 27 February, 2017 - 9:58am

No problem!

There is no stupid question on bugguide :) We are all learning.

… James Bailey, 27 February, 2017 - 9:59am