Lady Beetle Larva ? - Hippodamia convergens

Nice shots!

For me the easiest way to tell Coccinella septempunctata is that it usually only has four orange spots on the abdomen. Any additional orange markings, such as those on this one towards the posterior, start putting it in Hippodamia. I think almost every H. convergens larva I've seen have had at least 2 orange marks showing in addition to the usual 4.

Generally on Hippodamia (convergens) the orange markings are actually orange. On Coccinella septempunctata they like being a bit more yellow. That's not a guaranteed difference but it is a common one!

Both are pretty bristly and I haven't noticed a difference there, though I don't doubt it exists.

… James Bailey, 11 April, 2016 - 11:08pm

Moved

Moved from Seven-spotted Lady Beetle.

… Tim Moyer, 28 April, 2009 - 8:33pm

Those are very close!

I have been amassing some photo ID's of ladybird larva but all I can do is make tentative guesses!

… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 11 May, 2009 - 10:31pm

Convergent Lady Beetle

Looks more like Convergent Lady Beetle larva image at UC IPM.

… Ted Kropiewnicki, 14 January, 2009 - 1:29pm

I was also reminded of convergent lady beetle larva

though I am not taking a strong stand on it...

… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 28 April, 2009 - 11:21am

I agree,

my previous determination appears likely to be incorrect. After consulting with the best larval ref.(1) I'm aware of, the dorsal habitus and legs appear to better match H. convergens, rather than C. septempunctata. Still, they appear (to me) to be very similar. The key, which largely uses the shape of the structures and setae on the abdominal terga, appears to require Hippodamia to have more raised structures, "parascolus", while Coccinella has "short parascoli, or strumae".

fyi, here's the UC IPM's image of C. septempunctata's larva

I'd be very interested to hear how these are better determined! :)

Also, there's probably a few others that I've misplaced currently, and would be pleased to be corrected as necessary.

… Tim Moyer, 28 April, 2009 - 8:21pm

Moved

Moved from Ladybird Beetles.

… Tim Moyer, 24 September, 2008 - 12:42pm

Coccinella septempunctata

… Tim Moyer, 24 September, 2008 - 12:42pm

Yes.

It is indeed a larval coccinellid. I don't know which genus or species offhand, though. Great image!

… Eric R. Eaton, 1 June, 2008 - 6:44pm