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Photo#238065
Ladybug - Hippodamia parenthesis

Ladybug - Hippodamia parenthesis
Estes Park, Colorado, USA
March 24, 2008
Size: bout an 1/8 inch
Hippodamia parenthesis - Parenthesis Lady Beetle? Saved it from drowning.

Moved
Moved from Hippodamia.

Moved

Parenthesis Lady Beetle
Hippodamia parenthis

 
thanks!
*

 
caution,
According to Gordon (1), H. parenthesis west of the Mississippi is easily confused with H. lunatomaculata.
The tarsal claws must be examined with the tooth being "closely appressed" on H. parenthesis. East of Mississippi, no confusion.

Also, H. apicalis and H. expurgata can appear to have similar elytra markings, but H. parenthesis (and H. lunatomaculata) never has apical suture of elytron black.(1)

So unless you can get a good look at the tarsal claws, I'd suggest this one should stay at the genus level.

 
Gordon does say that
but neither he or any other reference seems to indicate that lunatomaculata is found away from the Pacific coast at all. Perhaps "west of the Mississippi" was a general statement than a more solid one? His key also mentions the vast location difference.

12(10). Tarsal claw with tooth not closely appressed (Fig. 591 i); Pacific coastal region .... 13
- Tarsal claw with tooth closely oppressed (Fig. 587 i); transcontinental .... parenthesis (Say)
13(12). Markings on elytron heavy; prenatal markings reduced (Fig. 591 g); Pacific Northwest .... lunatomaculata dobzhanskyi Chapin
- Markings on elytron reduced (Fig. 591 f); Pronotum with black area heavy; California .... lunatomaculata lunatomaculata Motschulsky

 
gotcha.
Thanks for catching that Tim!

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