Novius circumclusa

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Coccinelloidea
Family: Coccinellidae
Subfamily: Coccidulinae
Tribe: Noviini
Genus: Novius
Species: circumclusa

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Novius circumclusa: /ˈnovi.us kɪrkʊmˈkluːsa/

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Summary

Novius circumclusa is a species of lady beetle known for its bright red ventral abdomen. It serves as a natural enemy of scale insects and has been recently documented in southern Florida after originally being known from Central America.

Physical Characteristics

Ventral abdomen is bright blood red in living specimens.

Identification Tips

Identification may be aided by color and known habitat range, specifically southern Florida.

Habitat

Primarily found in regions with the presence of its prey; collected sites include Port Everglades and Miami, Florida.

Distribution

Originally described from Honduras, Mexico, and Panama; recently recorded from Broward and Miami-Dade counties in South Florida.

Diet

Feeds on Icerya genistae, a species of scale insect.

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a natural enemy of scale insects, specifically Icerya genistae.

Collecting Methods

Sweep netting
Hand collecting

Preservation Methods

Pinning
Ethanol preservation

Similar Taxa

Anovia circumclusa (Gorham)
Zenoria circumclusa Gorham