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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Cucujiformia » Coccinelloidea » Coccinellid group » Lady Beetles (Coccinellidae) » Coccinellinae » Harmonia

Genus Harmonia

Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle - Harmonia axyridis

Harmonia axyridis larva - Harmonia axyridis

Coccinellid larva new molt - Harmonia axyridis

Asian lady beetle pupa - Harmonia axyridis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga

No Taxon (Series Cucujiformia)

Superfamily Coccinelloidea

No Taxon (Coccinellid group)

Family Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)

Subfamily Coccinellinae

Genus Harmonia

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

First described in 1850 by Étienne Mulsant

Numbers

Three introduced species in North America:

Harmonia axyridis, Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle

Harmonia dimidiata

Harmonia quadripunctata, Cream-streaked Lady Beetle

Identification

Harmonia axyridis: Pattern and color of elytra (wing covers) is highly variable; see species Info page for more information. Usually orange or red with black markings, but may be orange or red with no markings, or black with red markings. Head and pronotum always black with white markings.

Harmonia dimidiata: Elytra orange or red with black spots, less variable than H. axyridis. Head and pronotum with orange markings, not white.

Range

Native to Asia; introduced world-wide. In North America, H. axyridis is widely distributed, while H. dimidiata is limited to Florida. H. quadripunctata may be established in eastern Canada and the mid-Atlantic U.S.

Habitat

Anywhere with suitable food, from ground level to treetops. Commonly seen in gardens, fields, and agricultural areas; also found in cities.

Season

Year-round in the South; in colder climates, adults may overwinter but are usually inactive.

Food

Primarily aphids; will also consume other soft-bodied insects, larvae, and insect eggs. H. axyridis may feed on ripe fruit in the fall.

Life Cycle

Masses of spindle-shaped orange eggs hatch into spiky-looking larvae. Mature larvae are black with orange markings, up to 12 mm long. These larvae pupate, and the adult beetle emerges 1-2 weeks later.

Internet References

Species des coléoptères trimères sécuripalpes, p.75 Mulsant's original description of the genus (in French)

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz, Aaron Schusteff, Abigail Parker
Last updated 6 May, 2014 - 8:13am

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