Coccinella transversoguttata

Faldermann, 1835

Transverse Lady Beetle, transverse ladybird

Coccinella transversoguttata is a predatory lady beetle native to North America, now also found in Europe and Asia including the Tibetan plateau. It is recognized by the transverse black band across the base of its , formed by connected spots. The serves as an important agent against aphids and other agricultural pests, though its appear to be declining in some regions following the introduction of competing non-native lady beetles.

Coccinella transversoguttata by (c) Syd Cannings, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Syd Cannings. Used under a CC-BY license.

Jacobson coccinella transversoguttata by Georgiy Jacobson. Used under a Public domain license.

Coccinella transversoguttata by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coccinella transversoguttata: //ˌkɒksɪˈnɛlə trænzˌvɜːrsəʊˈɡʌtə.tə//

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

Identification

The transverse black band across the base of the —formed by connected spots between the "shoulders"—is the primary diagnostic feature separating this from the similar seven-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata), which has separate spots in this position. The pronotum has white markings only at the corners, not forming a complete white collar as in C. novemnotata.

Images

Habitat

Agricultural areas including apple orchards, barley fields, and alfalfa fields; grasslands; recorded at elevations of 2,942–3,836 m on the Tibetan plateau.

Distribution

Native to North America, occurring from Labrador to Virginia, west to Alaska and California; also present in Greenland. Introduced or naturally spread to Europe, Central America, Mexico, and the Tibetan plateau in China (latitude 29.07°–30.01°N, longitude 88.28°–96.69°E).

Diet

of aphids including Aphis gossypii, Macrosiphum avenae, Schizaphis graminum, Acyrthosiphon dirhodum, Aphis craccivora, and spotted alfalfa aphid; also feeds on scale insects and mites.

Host Associations

Aphis gossypii - prey
Macrosiphum avenae - prey
Schizaphis graminum - prey
Acyrthosiphon dirhodum - prey
Aphis craccivora - preyPeanut ; used in laboratory rearing
Malus - associated plantApple orchards
Hordeum vulgare - associated plantHighland barley fields
Medicago sativa - associated plantAlfalfa fields

Behavior

Active foraging with high ; uses and to manipulate prey while crush the prey. Exhibits prey-handling typical of aphidophagous lady beetles.

Ecological Role

Important natural enemy of agricultural pests, particularly aphids; contributes to biological pest control in agricultural . Part of in Tibet alongside Hippodamia variegata, Harmonia axyridis, and Coccinella septempunctata.

Human Relevance

Valued as a agent in agriculture; used in to reduce . Populations appear to be declining in parts of its native range following establishment of non-native lady beetles, particularly the seven-spotted lady beetle from Europe.

Similar Taxa

Coccinella septempunctataSeven-spotted lady beetle has separate spots near the pronotum rather than the connected transverse band; also differs in pronotum pattern with only corner white markings versus more extensive patterns in some specimens
Coccinella novemnotataNine-spotted lady beetle has a complete white pronotal collar from corner to corner and typically nine spots rather than the transverse band pattern
Coccinella transversalisShares the "transverse ladybird" but occurs in Australia and Asia; distinct not overlapping in distribution with C. transversoguttata
Harmonia axyridisMulticolored Asian lady beetle is highly variable in spot pattern but rarely shows the consistent transverse band pattern; typically larger and with different pronotum markings

More Details

Population Status

Appears to be suffering declines in parts of its native range following the arrival and establishment of the non-native seven-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata), similar to the decline observed in the native nine-spotted lady beetle.

Bacterial Symbionts

on the Tibetan plateau harbor bacterial including , Serratia, , and Buchnera, with community structure varying by feeding habits and geographic location.

Genomic Resources

-level assembly available (453.64 Mb, 16,464 protein-coding genes), supporting research on predatory mechanisms and applications.