Lady beetle larva - Day 12, prepupa - Harmonia axyridis - Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA July 6, 2009 Size: 12 mm
Fourth instar, the day before pupation. "Prepupa" is not a separate larval instar, but it is an identifiable stage lasting up to 24 hours.
The larva's 9th and 10th abdominal segments are attached to the leaf and will anchor it until the adult ecloses. The body is immobile, held in a stiff curve with the head tucked under and legs slightly braced. As pupation nears it does "pushups" by flexing the legs; immediately prior to pupation the legs are tucked under.
Plant: The same maple leaf (Acer sp.) that it hatched on.
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