Chilocorinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Coccinelloidea
Family: Coccinellidae
Subfamily: Chilocorinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chilocorinae: /ˌkaɪləˈkɔɹɪniː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Chilocorus-bipustulatus-02-fws by Francisco Welter-Schultes. Used under a CC0 license.

Chilocorus bipustulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) by URSchmidt. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Exochomus-quadripustulatus-09-fws by Francisco Welter-Schultes. Used under a CC0 license.

Chilocorus bipustulatus 190049568 by Michel Langeveld. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Chilocorus circumdatus 167367831 by kbkash. Used under a CC0 license.

Brumus.quadripustulatus.adult by James K. Lindsey. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Summary

Chilocorinae is a subfamily of ladybugs known for their shiny, often patterned exteriors and round, helmet-like shapes. They are primarily scale insect predators, playing a crucial role in their ecosystems and demonstrating communal behaviors during winter.

Physical Characteristics

Round, oval, or shield-shaped; highly convex with a flared rim. Often black with 2-6 red or orange spots, sometimes entirely red or orange, occasionally metallic blue. Larvae are usually black with long spines, sometimes with pale or red markings.

Identification Tips

Look for shiny bodies, often with no spots on their wing covers. Medium-sized ladybugs with a helmet shape are characteristic of this subfamily.

Habitat

Commonly found in areas where scale insects are abundant, including gardens and agricultural lands.

Distribution

Primarily distributed in North America, with various genera found in the UK as well.

Diet

Predominantly feeds on scale insects, particularly armored scales; occasionally feeds on aphids, psyllids, and other soft-bodied insects.

Life Cycle

In winter, they may congregate in large groups for protection and increased chances of mating in spring.

Reproduction

Details on specific reproductive habits are not provided, but congregating behavior in winter suggests social aspects during mating.

Predators

Natural predators include birds and other insects; when disturbed, they may reflex bleed to deter predators.

Ecosystem Role

They play a significant role in controlling pest populations such as scale insects and aphids.

Economic Impact

Beneficial in gardens and agriculture as a natural pest control agent.

Misconceptions

Some might confuse them with other ladybug species; these ladybugs are specifically adapted to target scale insects.