Coccinellinae

Latreille, 1807

Common Lady Beetles

Coccinellinae is a of in the , established by Latreille in 1807. The subfamily comprises at least 20 and 90 described , organized into numerous tribes including Coccinellini, Stethorini, Epilachnini, Chilocorini, and others. Members exhibit diverse feeding strategies: most are , some are specialized predators (particularly Stethorini), and others are (notably Epilachnini). The tribe Coccinellini, the most species-rich group, originated approximately 83.8 million years ago in the Late and shows strong phylogenetic conservatism in .

Epilachna varivestis by (c) Philip Stepnowski, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Philip Stepnowski. Used under a CC-BY license.

Paranaemia by (c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Hibbard. Used under a CC-BY license.

Psyllobora by no rights reserved, uploaded by brabuleta. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coccinellinae: /kɒksɪˈnɛlɪniː/

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Identification

Distinguishing Coccinellinae from other requires examination of morphological characters detailed in taxonomic ; the Australian revision provides keys to subfamilies and . Within Coccinellinae, tribes are distinguished by combinations of characters: Stethorini are small with black bodies and or appendages; Coccinellini typically show the classic rounded, convex form with spotted or patterned ; Epilachnini are generally larger and more elongate with habits. -level identification often requires examination of and other fine morphological details.

Images

Habitat

are highly variable across the and correlate with feeding . occupy agricultural fields, gardens, and natural vegetation where occur. Stethorini specialize in habitats supporting populations. Phytophagous Epilachnini are associated with their specific plants, including systems. The Coeliaria has been recorded from the Caatinga in Brazil. Australian species occupy diverse terrestrial across the continent.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution with records from all major biogeographic regions. Documented occurrences include: Australia (14 , 32 ), South America (including Brazil's Caatinga and Northeast Region, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador), India (multiple states including Manipur, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), and the Kashmir Himalayas. The tribe Coccinellini shows global distribution. Specific distributions vary by tribe and genus; many genera have restricted geographic ranges.

Diet

Feeding habits are diverse and phylogenetically structured. Most are predatory: (Coccinellini, Aspidimerini, Oenopia species feeding on ), or specialized (Stethorini feeding on and other mites). Some lineages are phytophagous, notably Epilachnini including Epilachna and Toxotoma species. The ancestral state for Coccinellini is , with some derived lineages shifting to non-aphid .

Behavior

Predatory actively search for ; have been observed feeding on multiple species across diverse . Stethorini species associate with distinct species on specific plants. Some species show segregation patterns, as documented in Propylea species in northern Japan. Dinocampus coccinellae utilizes both Coccinellini and Chilocorini as hosts.

Ecological Role

Major of agricultural and horticultural pests, particularly and . Oenopia in India have been documented in 133+ tri-trophic associations involving 72 aphid species on 109 species. Aspidimerini species participate in 133 tri-trophic associations with 35 aphid species on 70 plant species. These predators contribute to natural of aphid . Epilachnini function as and occasional pests.

Human Relevance

Significant importance in programs. Multiple have been globally for and management in agricultural systems. The of Australian in biological control has been specifically reviewed. Some members (Epilachnini) are pests, feeding on solanaceous and cucurbitaceous crops. Checklists of tri-trophic associations are used by researchers, conservationists, and policymakers to guide biological control strategies.

Similar Taxa

EpilachninaeFormerly treated as a but now included within Coccinellinae as tribe Epilachnini; distinguished by diet versus predominantly predatory habits of other Coccinellinae tribes
ScymninaeOften treated as a separate ; distinguished by morphological characters and typically smaller body size with different antennal structure

More Details

Taxonomic composition

The includes approximately 27 tribes: Stethorini, Coccinellini, Chnoodini, Ortaliini, Epilachnini, Noviini, Scymnini, Cryptognathini, Cephaloscymnini, Platynaspidini, Aspidimerini, Hyperaspidini, Brachiacanthini, Diomini, Poriini, Pentiliini, Azyini, Argentipilosini, Chilocorini, Plotinini, Sumniini, Sticholotidini, Cranophorini, Coccidulini, Shirozuellini, and Scymnillini. The tribe Coccinellini alone contains over 90 and is the second most -rich tribe in .

Phylogenetic research

Molecular phylogenetic studies using five nuclear and three mitochondrial gene fragments from 150 support of Coccinellini, with four major clades and 30 of 34 sampled recovered as monophyletic. Divergence dating estimates origin at approximately 140 million years ago (Early ) and Coccinellini origin at approximately 83.8 million years ago (Late Cretaceous), with diversification paralleling that of .