Helmet Bug - Axion tripustulatum

Moved

… Lynette Elliott, 15 October, 2006 - 9:33am

Moved

Moved from Beetles.

… Phillip Harpootlian, 14 September, 2006 - 8:12am

Axion tripustulata

Flipping through Gordon (1), Axion tripustulata appears to be an exact match for the dorsal markings of your ladybug. Nearctica confirms there are only 2 Axion spc. for North America and the other, A. plagiatum, looks different and occurs from Texas to Oregon in the southwest.

(note: the map in Gordon has a typo which switches the ranges of A. tripustulata and A. plagiatum. An internet search confirms the text location description, not the map, is correct)

A new species and genus for BudGuide! And appearently an internet image-first also :) Perhaps Eric can make the required Guide pages for you.

… Tim Moyer, 11 August, 2006 - 12:19pm

Bit confused

If this species is found from Texas to Oregon, this specimen was taken in West Viriginia. I can also dig up the gps coordinates if interested.

Thanks for finally confirming

… Gerry Bunker, 15 August, 2006 - 12:12am

range for Axion tripustulata is ok

sorry for the confusion, let me try again.

Gordon states in the text the following for location:
Axion tripustulata = Eastern US - Florida to New England, west to Colorado (including West Virgina)
Axion plagiatum = Texas to Oregon

Gordon's range maps incorrectly have these reversed.

so your West Virgina find of Axion tripustulata is ok.

hope this helps
Tim

… Tim Moyer, 15 August, 2006 - 8:34pm

Chrysomelid or Coccinellid?

Unfortunately, I don't know what this is, but I am very happy that you posted pictures of this beetle. I found one when I was in Florida a month ago, and my specimen is in pretty sorry condition. I'm sort of on the fence between chrysomelid (some sort of tortoise beetle) and a coccinellid.

… Crystal Maier, 27 July, 2006 - 9:31pm

Thanks

To be honest I too think this is a type of ladybird beetle but I don't think it is a "twice stabbed" species. After all those red marks are more square than round and I find it amazing that the spots are equidistant all the way around. If you notice in this picture you can see my reflection with the camera on the shell.

… Gerry Bunker, 27 July, 2006 - 9:47pm

Lady beetle.

This is indeed a lady beetle, but not Chilocorus, just as you suspected. I need to find a copy of the paper that appeared back in 1985(?) in the Journal of the New York Entomological Society. That would help me put *some* of these unknowns into genera at least:-)

… Eric R. Eaton, 2 August, 2006 - 6:59pm

Gordon's "book"

If you're referring to Gordon's "complete" ladybug "book", here's the reference (1). I was lucky enough to have subscribed to the New York Ent Soc for only a couple of years, but included when
Gordon's book was published. Perhaps you can obtain a "back issue" from them?
Tim

… Tim Moyer, 7 August, 2006 - 10:16pm

Can't find a match

Hi Eric,

Yeah, I have been online for several days now and I cannot seem to find one that matches with this one. Especially taking into consideration the three nearly equidistant red marks.

If you can find a match, that would be excellent.

Thanks

… Gerry Bunker, 2 August, 2006 - 7:17pm