Lady beetle on cactus with cochineal - Hyperaspis trifurcata

keep an eye out for the larvae

They're covered in white waxy bits but I don't think they have the long tufts of Tribe Scymnini. The size could be up to 6mm - well-fed 4th instar larvae are about twice the length of the adults.

I honestly don't know if they feed out in the open in the same place as the adults; some scymnine larvae do things like live underground in ant colonies, and are hardly ever encountered.

If you happen to see something like that, I would love to see a photo. Don't go out of your way on my account, though, I don't want to sound like I'm giving you homework over Christmas vacation :-)

… Abigail Parker, 21 December, 2009 - 7:25am

Did you see my earlier post?

I haven't found out much since, except the tiny winged beastie is the male cochineal insect. My guess is that the larvae - of anything associated with cochineal - would be under the blanket.

Also check: http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/hemipt/Dactylopius.htm

I think I'm about done with my near daily vigils here, but will get back from time to time. When I visit, I do scour the cacti. Ouch! If the larvae are outside and movin', I'll get 'em!

… Ron Hemberger, 21 December, 2009 - 10:43am

under the blanket

That would be typical coccinellid behavior. Chilocorus lays eggs under scales, Cryptolaemus lays them under female mealybugs, so Hyperaspis giving its larvae a head-start in a cochineal blanket would make sense.

I don't think any of the critters in the linked photo is a Hyperaspis larva, the worm-like one is too elongated. But those yellow objects might be its eggs...about the right size and shape. Speculation, of course, but I'm very intrigued by this miniature ecosystem!

… Abigail Parker, 21 December, 2009 - 7:13pm

It is quite interesting to study.

Potentially painful, too. Maybe I'll do some scraping. I did a bit this weekend at another site - sans gloves - and am still regretting it. (Usually, I don't take prisoners, but may have some detainees under this scenario.)

… Ron Hemberger, 21 December, 2009 - 9:09pm