Coleomegilla maculata lengi

Timberlake, 1943

pink-spotted lady beetle, 12-spotted lady beetle

Coleomegilla maculata lengi is a native North American lady beetle notable for its distinctive pink coloration with six black spots on each . Unlike most coccinellids, it is facultatively pollenivorous, able to complete its entire on plant pollen—a unique trait among North American lady beetles. It serves as an important agent in agroecosystems, preying on aphids, mites, and other pests. Historical collection records reveal its geographic distribution was substantially underestimated, with specimens found 500 km beyond its previously recognized western range limit, and recent records indicate continued westward expansion.

Coleomegilla maculata lengi by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coleomegilla maculata lengi: /ˌkoʊli.oʊˈmɛɡɪlə ˌmækjuˈleɪtə ˈlɛn.dʒaɪ/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other North American lady beetles by its pink to rose-colored with twelve black spots total (six per elytron). Most other common lady beetles are red or orange rather than pink. The twelve-spotted pattern separates it from the convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens) and other spot-number variants. The only North American coccinellid known to complete its on pollen.

Images

Habitat

Agroecosystems including fields of wheat, sorghum, sweet corn, alfalfa, soybeans, peas, beans, cotton, potatoes, cole crops, tomatoes, asparagus, and apple orchards. Also found in natural and semi-natural within its range.

Distribution

Eastern North America from the Great Lakes region south to the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas. Expanded records document presence in western Kansas (earliest record 1910), Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming (new state record from Goshen County, 2014). Also recorded in southeastern Canada including Quebec (1975) and southern Manitoba (1988). Range expansion estimated at approximately 6.8 km/year westward.

Seasonality

active from spring through fall. Dispersing adults have been recorded using dandelion pollen in late spring before build up. Specific varies by latitude and local conditions.

Diet

Facultatively pollenivorous: uniquely among North American lady beetles, can complete its entire on plant pollen. Common pollen sources include dandelion, squash, corn, and lily. Also an active of aphids (pea aphid, green peach aphid, melon aphid, cabbage aphid, potato aphid, ), mites, scale insects, and insect including European corn borer, imported cabbageworm, fall webworm, corn earworm, asparagus beetle, Mexican bean beetle, and Colorado potato beetle eggs and larvae. larvae exhibit of eggs even when alternative prey are available.

Life Cycle

Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Eggs laid in colonies or near pollen sources. Larvae pass through four instars. occurs on plants. Multiple per year likely in southern portions of range. stage not explicitly documented in sources but inferred to be adult based on patterns.

Behavior

larvae preferentially consume even when essential prey (aphids) are available, with 90% of first prey consumed being eggs. Chemical cues from eggs elicit searching . and fourth-instar larvae show higher efficacy than younger larvae. Prey utilization follows patterns, with highest weight consumption at intermediate prey sizes. Exhibits intraguild predation, feeding on eggs of other aphidophages including green lacewings (Chrysoperla rufilabris).

Ecological Role

Important of agricultural pests in North American agroecosystems. Provides of aphids, mites, and lepidopteran and larvae. Unique pollen-feeding ability may reduce competition with introduced lady beetle , contributing to its persistence while native coccinellines decline. Serves as for Perilitus coccinellae (Braconidae), with rates of approximately 16% recorded in Ontario.

Human Relevance

Valued agent in agriculture, reducing pest without chemical intervention. T-shirt featuring this sold by Bohart Museum of Entomology to support educational outreach. Not known to be a household pest or nuisance species. Non-aggressive; does not sting.

Similar Taxa

Coleomegilla maculata maculataDifferent ; C. m. lengi is the northern and western form, separated by geography and subtle morphological differences, though both share the pink-spotted appearance
Hippodamia convergensConvergent lady beetle is orange to red with different spot pattern and lacks the pink coloration; does not feed on pollen as primary diet component
Coccinella septempunctataSeven-spotted lady beetle is introduced, typically red with seven spots, and lacks the facultative pollenivory that characterizes C. maculata lengi

More Details

Range expansion

Recent research demonstrates that C. maculata lengi has expanded its geographic range westward at an estimated rate of 6.8 km/year, contrasting with range contractions observed in many other native North American lady beetles. Historical specimens from 1910-1979 in the Great Plains indicate previous range characterizations were incomplete rather than representing recent expansion alone.

Parasitism

Subject to by the braconid Perilitus coccinellae. Parasitized beetles are found attached to leaves astride the 's cocoon, held by silk. Parasitized females may continue to lay fertile for up to 10 days before parasite . This represents the first authenticated record of P. coccinellae attacking stages other than in the field.

Intraguild predation

Feeds on of other beneficial insects including the green lacewing Chrysoperla rufilabris, representing intraguild that may complicate strategies.