Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#309937
14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 2 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male

14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 2 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - Male
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
Size: ~2 mm
June 29, 2009.
Second instar. Shown near my ring finger for three reasons:

1. Scale - the ring is 3 mm wide, and gives a good impression of just how small the larva is.

2. Many of these photos show the larva on my hand because it's an active insect that seldom stayed put on a leaf during photo sessions. I know that in-hand photos aren't as useful for ID as those showing the insect in its natural habitat, but for this captive-reared individual, its container (and my hand) are its habitat. Plus, there are very few larval images of this species on the Guide, so I believe these photos are valuable regardless of location.

3. My camera's not very good, and doesn't focus well on small, close-up subjects unless some human body part is nearby. Until I get a better camera, I'll sometimes be in the picture.

Images of this individual: tag all
14-spotted lady beetle egg - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata 14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 1 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata 14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 2 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male 14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 3 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male 14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 4 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male 14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 5 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male 14-spotted lady beetle larva with prey - Day 6 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male 14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 7 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male 14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 8 (a), prepupa - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male 14-spotted lady beetle larva - Day 8 (b), prepupa - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata 14-spotted lady beetle pupa - Day 9 (a) - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata 14-spotted lady beetle pupa - Day 9 (b) - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata 14-spotted lady beetle with prey - Day 13 - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata - male